With gas prices nearing (and surpassing) $4 a gallon, we'd all love to cut down on our driving. For businesses who rely on driving to make their money, gas prices become more than an annoyance. Believe it or not there's a mortgage option out there to help Realtors® actually save gas money. Not only can the FHA 203k save home buyers on hassles, but it can help trim the fuel budget for agents.

This one goes out to all the Realtors and real estate agents out there trying to sell homes in today's market. Many houses out there on the market right now need some home improvements or repairs, but buyers want to see the shiny new house. Unfortunately, those shiny new homes come with a higher price tag usually. Instead, there's an option for home buyers and real estate agents to take those homes and turn them from an "okay house" into the perfect house. The good news: the buyer doesn't need to put in a ton of sweat equity and do-it-yourself work. It's called the FHA 203k mortgage loan.

It's good to surround yourself with experts when looking for information on subjects, especially when it's something as long-term as a home mortgage loan. As a person surrounded by experts, sometimes I miss the tree for the forest. Or is the forest for the trees...either way I sometimes miss the obvious. This happened recently when one of our expert mortgage consultants Dave Brown a.k.a. The Mortgage Mythbuster from Fort Wayne, Indiana sent me an email. In it, he takes a look the frequently asked question, "How does a first time home buyer pick a real estate agent?"

The But Problem

House hunting can be rewarding, exciting and fun. Especially for first time home buyers. But it can also get frustrating. Real estate agents and buyers alike know the infuriating "But Problems" that creep up when looking for a house to buy. Wait, you don’t know what I mean by "But Problems?" Let me run down the list.

Take Care of the Cats with an FHA 203k*

Home buyers have access to a great mortgage option for those fixer-uppers, foreclosures, first homes and home improvement refinancing desires. It's called the FHA 203k and we love to spread the word about it. In fact, AmeriFirst 203k Program Manager Joe Daly offers "Continuing Education" courses for licensed Realtors so they can help spread the word to home buyers.

First time home buyers face a lot of issues and have a ton of questions. Many of these things don't pop up until they're well into the process. One question we hear is, "Do I need a real estate agent to find a house?"