Talk to a reputable lender. You can get in for -0- down, even today.

You can negotiate to have the seller pay the closing costs. I'd come up with an offer, add about $7k to that for closing costs and make sure your realtor includes that in the purchase agreement. Basically, you're financing the closing costs.

My family and I live in Champlin. If you need help moving, we are pretty close and I have a trailer. Keep us informed...

Thank you! That is so kind of you.

I'll definitely keep this thread updated as to what I hear and what is going to happen.

I'm so happy I found this site...everyone here is wonderful!!!!

Unlikely in this market. Real Estate Appraisers have found the light (The ones who, in the past "Rubber Stamped" the sales price (value).

They are mostly gone, some in jail and a few are still around, but being a bit more careful.

Lenders/Reviewers/Underwriters/Secondary Market Analysis are actually reviewing appraisal, now, can you believe it?

Not true. I think you're confused on my post. I just put in an offer on a house and added a Financing Addendum (definitely allowable on an FHA loan). See below:



Financing Addendum Seller's Contributions to Closing Costs and Discount Points
This form approved by the Minnesota Association of REALTORS which disclaims any liability arising out of use or misue of this form.

1. Date __________
2. Page __________
3. Addendum to Purchase Agreement between parties, dated _________, ______, pertaining to the purchase and sale of
4. the property at _______________________________
5. ____________________________________
6. Seller agrees to pay up to (check one):
7. __ $____________; or
8. __ __________ percent (%) of the sale price; or
9. __ __________ percent (%) of the mortgage amount
10. towards the Buyer's closing costs, prepaid items, and/or mortgage discount points as specified below. Any amount of
11. Seller's contribution that exceeds Buyer's actual costs, or which cannot be used because the Seller's contribution
12. exceeds the maximum Seller contribution allowed by law or by mortgage requirements, shall be retained by the
13. Seller.

14. The Buyer may use the funds toward:

15. __ Closing costs

16. __ Prepaids

17. __ Discount points (percent must be based upon mortgage amount)

18. NOTE: the amount paid by Seller cannot exceed the maximum Seller contribution allowed by FHA, DVA or lender. All funds paid by Seller on 19. behalf of Buyer must be stated on the HUD-1 at closing.

Like I said, everything is open for negotiation!

Get your own appraisal if need be, its only $350 for a reputable appraiser, or thereabouts. Make sure you buy something right. Truth in Housing inspections are also a must.

Lots of people want nothing more than to be rid of their house on the market. Getting a seller to pick up closing costs is pretty typical. I did it also in June.

I really appreciate all the information I am getting here! It's interesting to see all the different things that other's have done. Gives me something to talk to a realtor about when/if I decide to go this route.

Exactly. We're trying to get the seller to throw in their big screen TV just because we don't want to have to buy one, move it in and set it up!

Speaking of Realtors. 2.7% is a standard commission rate from the buyer. 6% is pretty typical commission from the seller.

If somebody asks for more tell them you will go find somebody that will do it for that. They'll come around pretty quick when they see you know what the score is.

OK, just so we are clear.

A seller trying to sell his/her house in this market and has their house properly priced at the high side this actual market, can try to add seller concessions ON TOP of the "Sale Price", thereby coming up with a new sales price, but it won't (shouldn't) appraise.

(By the way, this took place all the time in the past, and the then increasing market didn't take long to take care of the over valuation)

It's perfectly legal to have the seller pay buyers costs, it just should be a concession and not be added on to the realistic value of the home.

More clear?

UPDATE:

Still waiting to see if they will extend or renew my lease. They fired the manager that was working on the property (for reasons that don't involve this). The new manager said she would email her boss and let me know. It's been more than a week and so far I haven't heard anything.

I have signatures from half the tenants asking the management to reconsider...and will try to get the others tonight. Only 1 has refused to sign the request. (guess I know who freaked out).

One of my new neighbors said they wondered why there was a big deal being made about not carrying openly if they had the carry permit. Now they know.

Got a letter of recommendation from my CCW instructor in Colorado. I'll share it here:

_____________________________________________________________

LETTER OF REFERENCE
PROVIDED FOR **Lady Glock**
September 3, 2008



I’ve been training shooters for over 20 years. I’m an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol and Personal Protection. I’ve had certifications in Combat Pistol, Tactical Rifle (semiautomatic), and Tactical Shotgun. I’m currently training 4H kids in target shooting with match 22 rifles, the objective being competition with other junior clubs.

I’ve known T**** R****** for about 5 years now and she was one of my best students. She took my NRA Personal Protection course, a 2 day comprehensive handgun course that includes 4 hours of exposure to the legal implications of the use of deadly force and to an array of alternatives to the use of deadly force.

She became a very proficient handgun handler as she took further, advanced training.

When citizens take the training that she has taken and get that concealed-carry permit, they are making a commitment to not only provide for their own self-defense, but they are also committing to the protection of any other person they come across that needs that protection.

There are 3 kinds of people in the world: sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. The sheepdogs are there to protect the sheep from the wolves. T**** will put herself in harms way to protect anyone who is in trouble and is unarmed or is otherwise unable to protect themselves. People like T**** are walking the hero’s path, although most of them don’t realize it.

I’d feel more secure if I had her as a neighbor.

**signed, address and phone number**

____________________________________________________________________________________

Like hell we are!

that section sent alarm bells off in my head. I'd be VERY wary of giving that unedited letter out.

You want to be careful to back the safe, proficient, thoughtful, aware angle without throwing ANY Aggressive vibes out. Make it the last, unfortunate, totally forced on you extreme and it should help your case. Leave in the defend others angle and it makes you sound like a vigilante.

Andrew and Paul...in your opinions, what should be edited out? Please show the full amount that should be taken out or if reworded, how should it be worded? The instructor is willing to provide in any way that is helpful

...in Colorado, it is taught exactly as this is worded. You have a *right* to protect strangers and you are protected from litigation for doing so.