Buying A Home

19

Dec

Home Buyer Tips

Are You Ready for Home Ownership? Find Out by Answering These 4 Questions

Do you ever dream about a larger, roomier, or more luxurious living space? Or perhaps just want to experience the joy of owning your own home and building your net worth instead of renting? Let's explore a few questions that can help to answer whether or not you're ready for a new lifestyle as a homeowner. Can You Realistically Afford To Buy A Home? The first consideration to make is a financial one: can you afford it? Buying a home is a significant financial investment. In most cases, you'll need to manage monthly mortgage payments for many years. The good…

06

Dec

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Buying Your First Home? Learn These 5 Essential Home Maintenance Skills as Soon as Possible

New homes can be scary. But when you take the time to think about it and plan ahead, maintaining a home is easier than you think a manageable mix of experience and common sense. Here are five skills that will help maintain your new home for years to come. Fixing A Toilet It's not as daunting as it sounds. Just remember that toilets work with gravity the water wants to flow freely. Don't be afraid to open that tank up and adjust the floater and valves as needed. Occasionally run the water (flush the toilet, turn on the sink) in…

26

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Homebuyer Tips

Important Tips When Making a Down Payment for a Home

When it comes to purchasing a home, one of the most significant financial decisions you'll make is how much to put down as a down payment. Your down payment not only affects the amount you need to borrow but also plays a vital role in determining your mortgage interest rate and overall financial stability. Here are crucial tips to keep in mind when making a down payment for a home: Determine Your Budget and Financial Goals: Before you start setting aside money for a down payment, you must understand your budget and financial goals. Assess your current financial situation, including…

06

Oct

By Lori Blank

Mortgage Tips

Understanding How Home Equity Works and Why Buying a Home Can Be Your Best Investment

When delving into the world of real estate and investment property, there are many terms that will come up that require further explanation. Whether you've never heard the phrase 'home equity' before or you have a little familiarity, here are the ins and out of what it means and how this asset can help your financial outlook. All About Home Equity Essentially, home equity refers to your portion of the value of your home, and the amount of this figure is important because it is included among your assets when determining your net worth. If this sounds confusing, think of…

27

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Four Mistakes to Avoid When Making an Offer for Your Dream Home

You've scoured the new home listings, been to all the open houses and have finally found the home of your dreams. It is now time to draft an offer and begin the negotiation process. Below we'll share four mistakes that you will want to avoid when making an offer on your dream home. Mistake #1 – Not Working With A Professional The first mistake that home buyers make is trying to buy a home without using the services of a real estate professional. Buying a home is a significant financial transaction and one where the seller and their agent are…

22

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

House Hunting: Watch for These Five Small Signs That Can Indicate Much Bigger Problems with a Home

It’s not uncommon for homebuyers to recount horror stories about properties that appeared to be fine at first glance, but were actually hiding very expensive problems. If you fail to do your due diligence, you might find your dream house turning into a nightmare. The next time you walk through a house, pay attention for these five signs that the property might be hiding a unfortounate secret or two. Mold, Water Spots and Water Damage Older and newer homes alike may develop a leaky pipe or another similar plumbing issue from time to time, but any type of water issue…

12

Sep

By lizlaurenb

Home Buyer Tips

Ready to Buy Your First Home? Don’t Forget to Check Your Credit Score – Here’s Why

Whether you're just out of college, recently married or simply haven't jumped into the market yet, buying your first home is an exciting prospect. It can also be an expensive one, which is why most people will take out a mortgage to help finance the cost. If you are planning on engaging with a mortgage lender, you'll need to have your finances in order. In today's post, we'll share a few key reasons why you'll want to check your credit score well in advance of buying your first home. Your Credit Score Is A Signal For Lenders As you know,…

04

Aug

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Financial Considerations When Buying a Home

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions many individuals make in their lifetime. It involves a substantial investment of money and requires careful consideration to ensure long-term financial stability. To navigate the complexities of the home-buying process, it's essential to be well-informed about the various financial considerations involved. In this blog post, we will explore key factors to consider when buying a home to help you make informed decisions and achieve financial success. Establishing a Realistic Budget: Before diving into the home-buying process, it's crucial to establish a realistic budget based on your financial situation. Consider…

16

Jun

By lizlaurenb

Home Buyer Tips

Buying in a New Community: How to Meet and Make Friends with Your New Neighbors

One of the stresses of moving to a new area is giving up the familiarity that you have with your old neighbors and starting from scratch. Whether you've just moved to a different locale or you're planning to relocate in the near future, there are some easy ways that you can make a home of your new neighborhood right from the start. Stand Up and Smile While there are neighborhoods where people are definitely friendlier than others, by making your presence positively known you can make an instant impression on those that live around you. When you're walking around the…

08

Feb

By lizlaurenb

Home Buyer Tips

Is It Worth It to Put More Than 20 Percent Down?

Are you thinking of buying a new home this spring or summer? If so, you're not alone. Many thousands of individuals and families alike will become homeowners this year. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned veteran of the housing market, you probably know there are significant choices to make. One of the big decisions you will have to ponder is how much you want to invest in your down payment. With that in mind, let's try to answer the question of whether or not it is worth it to put more than 20 percent of the home's price…