Frequently Asked Questions

To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040; irs.gov

A real estate agent is a good source for finding out the status of the local housing market. 
For overall housing statistics, U.S. Housing Markets (meyersgroup.com) regularly publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local builders association probably gets this report. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 763-3199; census.gov. The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet, "Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title 601 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204; (888) 934-3354; ctic.com

* assum. fin. -- assumable financing
* dk -- deck 
* gar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated "gard")
* expansion pot'l -- may be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential for a top floor or room addition. Verify actual potential by checking local zoning restrictions prior to purchase.
* fab pentrm -- fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views
* FDR -- formal dining room (not the former president)
* frplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace
* grmet kit -- gourmet kitchen
* HDW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors 
* hi ceils -- high ceilings
* In-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment. Sometimes, local zoning codes restrict rentals of such units so be sure the conversion is legal first.
* large E-2 plan -- this is one of several floor plans available in a specific building
* lsd pkg -- leased parking area, may come with an additional cost
* lo dues -- find out just how low these homeowner's dues are, and in comparison to what?
* nr bst schls -- near the best schools 
* pvt -- private
* pwdr rm -- powder room, or half-bath 
* upr - upper floor 
* vw, vu, vws, vus -- view(s) 
* Wow! -- better check this one out

If you find yourself stumbling over weird acronyms in a real estate listing, don't be alarmed. There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges).

Bankruptcies and foreclosures can remain on a credit report for seven to 10 years. 
Some lenders will consider a borrower earlier if they have reestablished good credit. The circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy can also influence a lender's decision.

Yes, in as short a period as a year depending on the rest of your credit history. Some lenders are offering financing after only a year. Most lenders usually require a two year wait period, also depending on your recent (after the short sale) credit history. Please check with a financial specialist for particular and individual information regarding obtaining financing after a short sale.

Yes, in some cases you can sell your home for less than what you still owe on the mortgage. This situation is known as a "short sale." Sometimes a lender will be willing to allow the sale of a property for less than is owed. We can assist you in gathering all the information required to proceed with the short sale process.

A good agent typically works full-time and has several years of experience at minimum. 
All agents in a transaction usually are paid by the seller from the sales proceeds. In a short sale the lien holder usually pays for the real estate commissions.
The best choice isn't always the agent with the highest asking price for your home. We have 20 years experience and provide all information including marketing plans regarding the sale of your property so that you may make a well informed decision and maximize your profits.

The first step in the process is to fill out the confidential and no-obligation online form by clicking here ( from to gather all contact info : name address, city, state and phone number , email and fax)
After one of our real estate professionals receives your information they will be able to go through your options with you and answer any questions that you may have. Remember every transaction is different and needs personalized attention.

Learn everything you can about the homeowners association before you buy into a development governed by one. The association's financial, political and legal conditions are very important to your investment and quality of life. 

When run properly, homeowners associations maintain the common grounds and keep civility in the complex.
Speak with residents to get their views on the association's finances, its property manager, how it operates and any politics. 
What do all of those real estate acronyms in the ads mean? If you find yourself stumbling over weird acronyms in a real estate listing, don't be alarmed. There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges).

There are many programs available for financing your home. Some programs offer as low as 3.5 percent of the value of the home as down payment. Credit history and savings are weighed for approval of a loan. Also stable verifiable job for a minimum of 2 years is required. Please contact a financing specialist for specific and individual requirements for pre-qualification. We can refer you to sound financial institutions ( not brokers ) for your financing needs.

To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040; irs.gov

Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible on a second home if you itemize. Check with your accountant or tax adviser for specifics.

For overall housing statistics, U.S. Housing Markets (meyersgroup.com) regularly publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local builders association probably gets this report. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 763-3199; census.gov. The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet, "Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title 601 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204; (888) 934-3354; ctic.com.

Most real estate experts say there is no such thing as getting rich quick in real estate. But there's no end to get-rich-quick programs presented to the public as alternative methods of buying real estate. 

Some are reputable while others depend on your financial circumstances to work. A handful is simply scams. 
Many get-rich-on-real-estate programs offer advice on how to buy government foreclosure properties and participate in other government programs. Most of this information can be obtained by calling the government offices involved directly. 
Anyone interested in real estate investments would be wise to explore a variety of sources. Most investors view real estate as a long-term investment. Deals that sound too good to be true often are.

Using appreciation as a measure, condominiums in some areas have been as profitable an investment as single-family homes in the past five years. And in some markets, condos appreciated even more, according to some experts. 

While single-family homes have been the preferred investment by home buyers, changing demographics are helping make condos more popular, especially among single home buyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in high-priced markets.

A real estate agent is a good source for finding out the status of the local housing market. 

For overall housing statistics, U.S. Housing Markets (meyersgroup.com) regularly publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local builders association probably gets this report. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 763-3199; census.gov. The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet, "Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title 601 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204; (888) 934-3354; ctic.com.

* assum. fin. -- assumable financing
* dk -- deck 
* gar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated "gard")
* expansion pot'l -- may be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential for a top floor or room addition. Verify actual potential by checking local zoning restrictions prior to purchase.
* fab pentrm -- fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views
* FDR -- formal dining room (not the former president)
* frplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace
* grmet kit -- gourmet kitchen
* HDW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors 
* hi ceils -- high ceilings
* In-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment. Sometimes, local zoning codes restrict rentals of such units so be sure the conversion is legal first.
* large E-2 plan -- this is one of several floor plans available in a specific building
* lsd pkg -- leased parking area, may come with an additional cost
* lo dues -- find out just how low these homeowner's dues are, and in comparison to what?
* nr bst schls -- near the best schools 
* pvt -- private
* pwdr rm -- powder room, or half-bath 
* upr - upper floor 
* vw, vu, vws, vus -- view(s) 
* Wow! -- better check this one out

A good agent typically works full-time and has several years of experience at minimum. 
If you are a buyer, you don't usually pay for your agent's services (in the form of a commission, or percentage of the sales price of the home). All agents in a transaction usually are paid by the seller from the sales proceeds.