I’m sure that, as a homeowner, you invest your time and money into creating a comfortable and secure living space for you and your loved ones. But, unforeseen events can strike such as natural disasters or burglary, which can result in the loss of your personal belongings. However, unforeseen events such as natural disasters or […]
Category Archives: Home Buyer Tips
Down Payment Sources For First-Time Homebuyers
Those hoping to be first-time homebuyers can overcome the challenge of saving for a down payment by taking advantage of various sources of assistance. There are a variety down payment sources available to first-time homebuyers, from family gifts and retirement account withdrawals to tax refunds and down payment assistance programs, empowering them to achieve their […]
New Construction? Inspections Will Protect You
When a new home is being built, builders are normally required to warrant their work for a specified period. Municipal inspections are also generally required during different stages to “ensure the life, health, safety, and welfare of the public” but even if something is missed, the ultimate responsibility for building to code belongs to the […]
Making Your Home Offer More Appealing Than Others
In the world of real estate, numbers are still fluctuation in all different directions. Sales in February 2023 were up 14.5% month over month and still down 22.6% year over year according to the NAR Housing Snapshot. The median sales price dipped 0.2% to $363,000 and there are 2.6 months supply of homes on the […]
Monopoly Is Very Similar To Investing In Real Real Estate
I’m sure you’ve probably played Monopoly at some point in your life. During this game, you’ll purchase and develop properties (developing them by placing houses and then hotels on them), and sometimes you may even sell them. As you go along in the game, and when many of the properties have been purchased and developed, […]
The New Normal Mortgage Rates – Let’s Get Comfy With Them
Homebuyers in 2022 experienced a huge shock – soaring mortgage rates which doubled in one year resulting in approximately 15 million mortgage ready buyers displaced from the market due to affordability issues. As of February 23, 2023, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage was at 6.5%. While that is twice as high as it was on […]
When Should You Lock In That Mortgage Rate?
Market conditions are a big reason as to why you should lock your interest rate. Quite simple – locking that interest rate will protect you from increases due to market conditions. If you lock your interest rate early, it can safeguard your budgeted payment. Here’s how it works – if you lock the rate, and […]
Buydowns: You Really Should Negotiate
Things have definitely changed in the past year. If you’re a prospective homebuyer, you have absolutely seen those changes firsthand. Most notably, mortgage rates have more than doubled which has created an affordability gap that has taken approximately 15 million buyers out of the market. Yes, inventories all growing – however that isn’t due to […]
Let’s Shake On It – Negotiations
So many negotiations take place during a real estate transaction. The seller wants the most for their home and the buyer wants to pay the least possible. Starting in the very beginning of the homebuying process, there are well-defined positions between those two principals. And, if you happen to be in a multi-offer situation, it just […]
High Inflation – Don’t Let It Discourage You From Buying A Home
Your home is a tangible asset, which consistently becomes more valuable over time. During times where inflation is significantly high, a home is a good investment and is a hedge against inflation. Why? The interest earned in savings is almost always less than inflation. Borrowing money, in other words, a loan, can be a great […]