AP9 Consumer Gateway Weblog

AP9 Bargain Network Homes Reports Surge in Foreclosures Provides Opportunity for Savvy Home Buyers

While homeownership reaches historic heights, the rate of home foreclosures is also breaking records, reports AP9 Bargain Network. As interest rates continue to rise and economic conditions continue to be uncertain, AP9 Bargain Network predicts that foreclosures will continue to be a popular option for savvy buyers interested in owning their own home or investing in property.

The price of existing homes has leaped a whopping 48 percent since 1999, causing home buyers to become more creative in how they shop for property. The median home price is currently $206,000 — a 15.5 percent increase in the last year. Bottom line, the cost of homeownership is disproportionate to median household incomes. Families are finding it more and more difficult to buy homes with manageable mortgages, notes AP9 Bargain Network.

Buyers can save as much as 50 percent on real estate, including foreclosure homes, HUD homes, For Sale by Owner listings, auction properties and more. While the purchase of distressed property -- foreclosures, bank auctions and the like -- can offer terrific deals, locating them and purchasing them oftentimes can be difficult.

AP9 Bargain Network aggregates 600,000 property listings throughout the United States from many different sources, making it easier for members to bargain hunt. AP9 Bargain Network listings are updated daily. Most importantly, AP9 Bargain Network does not accept compensation or advertising for their listings, so program members know that they are receiving unbiased information.

For those interested in purchasing foreclosures through a bid auction, AP9 Bargain Network offers these pointers:

-- Start by finding a licensed real estate agent. Foreclosure bids must be submitted by an agent.

-- Have your financing in order. Potential buyers are encouraged to pre-qualify for the amount of a bid for a foreclosures property. Failure to obtain financing will result in the cancellation of the offer.

-- Do your homework. Ordering a Neighborhood Property Report will provide you competitive home sale prices, local crime rates, median household incomes, school rankings and much more -- all valuable information for you to take into consideration as you assess the potential worth of the property. Make sure you know the current condition of the property, too.

-- Placing a bid. Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to place a bid. Your real estate agent will have you complete and sign a real estate purchase and sales contract and obtain your earnest money deposit.

-- Winning the bid. At the end of an auction period, the lender will usually accept the highest bid or extend the auction period on a daily basis until an acceptable bid has been received. If your bid has not been accepted, you may submit a higher bid through your agent.

Cautionary note: AP9 Bargain Network advises that before you begin bidding on a property, decide what’s the most you’re willing to pay and stick to it. If the bid goes beyond your self-imposed limit, then it’s time to continue your search for a property that meets your requirements.

For more information on property listings, visit Bargain Network Homes.

AP9 PriceStore Reports That It’s Now Easier Than Ever to Pay The Price That Fits Your Pocket

From major purchases to birthday and wedding presents, all of us are always trying to get the best price for the things we want, and — fortunately for those of us living in a capitalist society — there are ways to find that ideal price. The goal is to do it better, reports AP9 PriceStore (Pricestore.com), a personalized shopping service by Bargain Network Incorporated, which offers help in finding exactly what you’re looking for at the lowest available price.

It’s always a good idea to pay the lowest price for an article we need or want, which increases our savings. Members of AP9 PriceStore can make just one pitstop before they start their engines to go shopping. They simply log on to PriceStore.com to find unbiased recommendations, rebates and coupons, and information about the quality or functionality of thousands of products.

Everyone wants to be an informed shopper, someone who hits the stores, in person or online, to get what they want after they’ve done research and compared prices to get the best deal. But with the incredible amount of brands, stores and products out there … what’s the best way to do it? AP9 PriceStore offers tips for shoppers to consider all year long:

Need vs. want. A refrigerator is considered a necessity; an ultra-modern Home Theater System is a luxury. The first rule to follow as a smart shopper is to spend your money on the things that will make your life easier and more convenient, like home appliances or an ultra-comfortable mattress. Once those things are taken care of, the luxury items can find a place in the budget.

Word of mouth. Recommendations are always welcomed during the research process, especially when making major purchases. Unfortunately, salespeople often can’t answer simple product questions, and they’re sometimes trained to “push” a product, so they’ll tell you it’s the eighth wonder of the world even if it’s not. Ask for your friends’ opinions, and read articles on the web, in newspapers and in magazines. Once you determine the specific needs of the product you want, look for the best price on the choices that meet those requirements.

Hold your horses. Impulse purchases can really damage the household budgets, so control your impulses while doing research. Don’t fall for the “cute” stuff some stores offer at a lower price for your purchase (those can add $10 or more to your expenses). It’s true that you can return what you’ve gotten if you find a better price somewhere else, but why go through all that trouble when you can get the right one at the right time at a price you can afford?

Seasonable purchases. During the holidays, it’s wise to buy jewelry, since retailers always offer deep discounts; Black Friday is a mess, but it’s also a good chance to buy electronics and other items at a decent price. Make sure to be aware of those special days when prices might go down or when coupons are the key to get excellent discounts.

You don’t have to be a shopaholic to know when and where the bargains happen; you can simply use the available tools to become an informed shopper. Comparison shopping, after all, is on the verge of becoming a mainstream service. As a consumer, you can use it to enhance your chances of getting what you seek at an affordable price. Open your eyes to new offers, and go beyond the big retailers to explore smaller stores and the Internet, where nowadays you can find anything you can think of, and then some, concludes AP9 PriceStore.

AP9 Bargain Network Offers a Few Pointers on Tracking Down Hard-to-Find Cars

If you’re in the market for any old car, you can find one in virtually any newspaper in the U.S., AP9 Bargain Network reports. However, if you’re looking for a specific car within a specific price range, you’ll need to do more than just scan the local classifieds.

AP9 Bargain Network members who have enrolled in Bargain Network Motors have convenient, toll-free access to Auto Experts who will search a proprietary database of over one million vehicles to find affordable cars, trucks and minivans across the country. With listings that are updated daily to include vehicles recently made available through bank repossessions, charities, corporate liquidations, dealer trade-ins, government and police auctions, and other sources, AP9 Bargain Network can help you track down incredible deals on a wide range of cars, trucks and SUVs.

There are, of course, no guarantees that you’ll find the exact car of your dreams, no matter how long and hard you search. Some models may be out of circulation altogether; others are closely guarded by their owners. Still, with a little time and effort -- and maybe a little luck -- you may just find yourself behind the wheel of the automobile of your dreams.

AP9 Bargain Network therefore offers you a few things to keep in mind as you embark upon your search:

-- Consider all sources. Newspaper ads and inquiries at local dealers can be a useful starting point, but you’re severely limiting your search if they’re also your stopping point. Include as many different sources in your search as you (and your friends and other contacts) can think of, including Internet searches, police impound lots, your best friend’s aunt’s neighbor’s furnace guy, and more.

-- Attend auctions. Auctions are where a trove of sweet deals can be found, but very few people know about them. That’s great news for you -- the fewer the bidders, the lower the price you’ll likely have to pay. Just remember to arrive early and stay late, because a lot of the best deals are found at the beginning and the end of auctions.

-- Be prepared to travel. It’d be nice if your next-door neighbor was selling the car you want, but that’s rarely the case. If you’re looking for a common make and model, you may be able to find something in your price range within your county or state, but if you’re looking for a car that’s out of the ordinary, you’ll likely have to move in wider circles. Depending on demand for the car, you might also have to show up with money in hand fairly quickly to lay claim to the vehicle, so make sure you’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

-- Buy with your head, not with your heart. Finding your dream car doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Be sure to have the car thoroughly inspected before agreeing to any sale, and be willing to walk away if it fails the inspection or if the asking price is beyond your budget. No car is worth long-term financial hardship.

There are, of course, any number of sources you can use to locate cars, including AP9 Bargain Network, which specializes in helping buyers find “distressed” (i.e., priced to move) cars, particularly at auctions and other distressed-car marketplaces. They also help members research, purchase and maintain cars, trucks and other vehicles easily and affordably. Members can find vehicles in their area (or across the country), get pricing advice, access discounts on vehicle history reports, and enjoy preferred rates on car care at national auto repair and maintenance shops – all through AP9 Bargain Network.