Jo Barnes

Betty, I feel as though you haven't truly made up your mind yet about moving to NC. When you get a little more settled in your mind what you want to do, then please contact me. I can help you. First time homebuyers are my specialty! I look forward to hearing from you and your family. Sorry about your illness.

Michael, If you are really serious about buying a home at the end of the year, then by all means CALL A LENDER NOW! Your credit score is not high enough to qualify for an affordable loan right now. But, if you call a lender right now, then that lender can work with you and guide you through all the right steps so that you can qualify for a loan . Maybe , by the end of the year or possibly the spring of 2014, you will have adjusted your credit enough to qualify for a good loan with a great rate. A reputable lender can also explain different ways to go about getting a down payment together to put down on your new home. Michael, after you have done what the lender suggests you do ......then and only then should you speak to a buyers agent and start looking at houses. Do not look at any properties until AFTER you have been pre-qualified by the lender. That way , you and the agent will know exactly how much you have to spend. Because, let's face it, there's no need looking at things you cannot afford. Michael, I hope this helps. I know two good lenders in the Raleigh area. Prime Lending and Southeastern Mortgage. If you click "contact me" , I will email you the phone numbers and contact person for each of these lenders. Good luck Michael!

Hi Charlise, I am certified by the National Association of Realtors as a "Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource". Ninety percent (90%) of my business is foreclosures. Some of the BEST deals I have ever made for my clients has been foreclosures. They can be GREAT! If you really want to go that route, you can save as much as 50%! And that translates into real money. You asked how to get started.....This is what you do, you find a REALTOR in your area that has the "SFR" designation from the National Association of Realtors. That designation means that your agent is certified as a "Foreclosure Expert". Since I am NOT in your area (I am Triangle and Crystal Coast of NC) I can refer you to someone who is qualified to assist you. And you should really let me do that for you because you are looking for a "buyer agent". And buyer agency in NC is FREE to the buyer. That's right, you DO NOT pay your agent. The SELLER pays the agent. So, don't be shy....let me (or someone) find you an agent that deals only in foreclosures. Click "contact me" and I will email you several agents in your area that deal only in foreclosures.

9704 Layla Avenue was listed for sale for $172,000. Over and above that price , there is a homeowners dues every month for $110.00 After being on the market for a while and NOT selling, the owners apparently decided to rent the unit instead. The rental price is $1250 / month , plus a deposit of $1250, plus an application fee of $50. I understand how desirable the Brier Creek area is, and how beautiful everything is over there. The grounds are neat and the lawns are manicured with white picket fences, its just a dream! BUT......most of the units are rentals. And if over 50% of the units in a complex are indeed rental units, then as I understand it...FHA will not finance the mortgage. In other words, it may be very hard to get financing for one of these units. May be that's why the owners decided to rent. Anyway, I have about two hundred properties in Brier Creek and surrounding area. Of those, I think 5 or 6 would be exactly what you are looking for. Just click the "contact me" link on this page and I will email you those listings. I WILL NOT call you . If you like what you see, give me a call and I will show you the property. If you don't like what you see, I won't contact you. Fair enough? I look forward to getting your email address so that I can send you these properties. Thanks!

Thomas, If this is a HUD property or a government foreclosure, then you must have a HUD agent. I am a HUD agent and as such can place a bid for you. Click "contact me" and send me your email address. I will give you the process. Thanks!

Teunis, Please click "contact me" and send me your email address. I can send you precise information on mortgage prequalification. I can also send you listings anywhere in NC , from the Triangle to the Crystal Coast. I belong to more than one association in NC and am a native for over 50 years. I'm sure I can help you. Remember, buying a house (or land) is a process. I can lead you through the process step by step. My goal is always to find you the perfect home , for the BEST price possible, with little or no stress to you and your family. And I understand that most folks like to do things online. That is why I like to get email addresses. I can send listings, refer services, and talk with customers and clients via email. I never call you unless you ask me to. I can help you from prequalification through closing. Look forward to hearing from you.

What part of NC are you interested in? There are many areas from which to choose. I am a Triangle Realtor, that means the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area (and surrounding areas). Mortgages and lenders who pre-qualify you for a home loan are always local. That means its best to have a loan officer close to where you are looking buy. I work with several mortgage lenders and banks including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, BB&T, Prime Lending and Southeastern Mortgage. Depending on where you are looking (which town) would determine which lender I would refer you to. Keep in mind, that you can be pre-qualified by your lender or bank in amy town or any state. But, my experience is that its always best to use someone close to where you are buying. Keep it "local". I hope that has answered your question, and I would like to suggest that you DO NOT ever furnish your personal information to anyone online. Please wait until you choose a reputable REALTOR, then that agent will make sure that when you get prequalified, it will be done in person (or by phone) , but NEVER online. Please email me and I will assist you. I can also send you ALL the listings in the MLS that meet your criteria. You can look at the homes online (in the privacy of your own home) and when you see something you like, I am happy to show you any property. I look forward to hearing from you. Could you please send me your email address?

Hi Rose, Let me send you some foreclosure listings in your area. Click "contact me" above and send me your email address. I will NOT call you. When you see something you like, you can give me a call and I will be happy to show it to you. But for now, email me and I will send listings to you ASAP. Thanks!

Rose, that property sold in August of this year. It takes a while for the listings to catch up with the closing transactions. My office is at the coast (Emerald Isle) as well as in Raleigh. I specialize in foreclosures and short-sales and as a result, over 80% of my business results from foreclosures. Please click "contact me" and I will send you all the foreclosure listings I have , to your email. I will NOT call you , no pressure. If you see something you like, then I will be happy to show it to you if you call me. But for now, I would like to send you some listings to your email. Thanks!