Real estate professional advices with Sam Trimble? A native of El Paso Texas, Sam attended the University of Texas at El Paso, graduating with honors in 2007. Upon graduating from UTEP, Sam entered the world of real estate where he has since focused in various areas gathering a well respected knowledge on many aspects of the industry including title & escrow, residential, commercial and industrial real estate and various others areas of the field. Sam has become a well regarded authority on marketing, digital advertising, social media strategy and technology. He has spoken throughout the state of Texas, around the country and south of the border to sold out audiences on topics varying from leveraging social media to grow business to regulatory impacts of Dodd-Frank on the mortgage and larger real estate industry.
Whether brainstorming with a group of 5 people or speaking to a crowd of 3000, Sam brings the same energy, passion and motivation that has helped propel him from “new kid on the block” to “industry expert.” Sam serves on various charitable and civic boards including the Rotary Club of El Paso, The El Paso City Plan Commission and the El Paso Central Appraisal District. Sam Trimble is a real estate professional in El Paso. A Credit Card is Not Free Money: A credit card is a useful tool in your finance toolkit, but it’s not free money. When you purchase something with your credit card, you are borrowing money from the bank. If you don’t give that money back in time, the bank is going to start charging interest on your balance. This debt can build up and become a monster if you don’t pay off your balance every month. However, if you use a credit card responsibly and pay off the balance every month, it’s a good way to start building credit. Most credit cards also have other benefits such as rewards points, cash back, or travel points. So, should you have a credit card? Well, it depends. If you’re capable of paying off the balance in full every month, then you should have no problem managing a credit card and staying out of debt. PS: If you are going to use a credit card, you should monitor your credit score & credit report regularly with a free tool like Credit Sesame (or Borrowell if you’re in Canada). One last tip: Treat your credit card as a debit card. Pay it off in full every day if you have to. I try to pay off my balance every couple of weeks so that I don’t forget. I also use Trim to remind me when payment is due.
When looking at homes, you should seriously consider ignoring paint and landscaping. These are two items that are easy to fix, and they should not impact your decision making when purchasing a house. If the home has a terrific location and the paint/landscaping is poor you shouldn’t rule it out, you have to be able to envision what the house will look like when you move in and make changes. A lot of time buyers will not be able to overlook paint or landscaping and this gives an opportunity for others who know how easy it is to fix. Location is something you can’t change, paint and landscaping is something you can.
Create A List Of Amenities – When shopping for a home, list the Top 10 features (fireplace, fenced-in yard, new appliances, etc.) that are most important to you. Establishing this criteria early will save time shopping for inappropriate homes and keep you from buying a home on a whim. Your top reason for buying a home should be the value you are getting. That being said, some of your top 10 amenities could be sacrificed if an incredible value becomes available.
Overlooking FHA, VA and USDA loans. First-time buyers might be cash-strapped in this environment of rising home prices. And if you have little saved for a down payment or your credit isn’t stellar, you might have a hard time qualifying for a conventional loan. How this affects you: You might assume you have no financing options and delay your home search. What to do instead: Look into one of the three government-insured loan programs backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans) and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA loans). Here’s a brief overview of each: FHA loans require just 3.5 percent down with a minimum 580 credit score. FHA loans can fill the gap for borrowers who don’t have top-notch credit or little money saved up. The major drawback to these loans, though, is mandatory mortgage insurance, paid both annually and upfront at closing. VA loans are backed by the VA for eligible active-duty and veteran military service members and their spouses. These loans don’t require a down payment, but some borrowers may pay a funding fee. VA loans are offered through private lenders, and come with a cap on lender fees to keep borrowing costs affordable.
Everyone is on social media sites these days and Facebook is a great way to network and connect with buyers. In addition to the marketing effort your Realtor will provide, you can also use the power of networking to get the word out to as many people as possible that your home is for sale. People also love watching videos. If you grab your phone or video camera, make a video as you walk through your home and your neighborhood. Tell why you love it and then post that video on FB and YouTube. By doing so, you will help a prospective buyer visualize a great life living there also. Read extra info at Sam Trimble El Paso.