When getting ready to buy a home, most would-be new homeowners focus on saving up a down payment. While that’s important, coming up with enough cash for a down payment is only part of the picture. Until you also save enough to cover all your closing costs, you aren’t financially prepared to purchase your home. What are closing costs? Closing costs are a summation of the additional fees you will pay...
by The Offer Company 
Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the key factors in qualifying for a new home loan. But how much do you really know about this important calculation and what can you do to move it in your favor? Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is used by mortgage lenders in making a decision regarding your worthiness for a home loan. If your DTI is too high, you could end up paying a higher interest rate or worse...
When you’ve got your home listed, getting an offer can be exciting. And, in today’s market, it’s more likely you’ll be looking at multiple offers at one time. Comparing those offers can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to understanding the contingencies that you might see. Read on to learn what you need to know as the seller. Three common contingencies While these are common...
Maintaining a home, and all it holds, is an important part of being a homeowner. Keeping your house is good repair not only protects your investment, but ensures you a living space that you can enjoy to the fullest. But, keeping ahead of all the tasks that can pile up on your to-do list isn’t always easy. Here are 20 hacks that can make home maintenance and everyday repairs a bit easier: 1....
With buyer competition reaching new heights, it’s no wonder homebuyers feel they need to pull out all the stops to ensure their offer rises to the top. There’s nothing like the frustration of losing out on a house that checked all your boxes—especially if it turns out to be a matter of a few thousand dollars you would be willing to throw into the deal, if given the chance. Pursuit of the top...
It’s never fun to lose out on the house you had your heart set on. Unfortunately, when inventories are tight, that scenario can play again and again. The result of not being able to move when you want to can make the whole scenario very challenging. So, how do you get the edge over other buyers and land the home of your dreams? As your real estate agent, there are a number of strategies and...
Whether you’re planning to list your home or you are simply thinking about the impact when guests arrive, your foyer or entryway is the first impression visitors get when they come into your home. Ironically, the entryway is often one of the most neglected areas when it comes to your home’s decor. Most are left to a drab existence, though there are some that swing the pendulum too far in the other...
Buying a home is an exciting endeavor. But, it isn’t without its challenges. If you’re thinking about making a new home purchase, whether this is your first home or your fifth, you may be wondering what buyers are saying about the process. What are the obstacles they found most difficult to get through? According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2021 Home Buyer and Seller...
Congratulations! You’ve accepted an offer on your home! So, what happens now? Here is what you can expect once you have accepted an offer on your home. 1. First stop: home inspection. Once you and the buyers have come to an agreement, the next step is usually for the buyers to schedule a home inspection. You should not be present at your home during the inspection. As your real...
Once your offer has been accepted, there are still several steps to take before you can close on your new home. One of those is an appraisal. As part of the mortgage loan process, your lender will order an appraisal of the property. This ensures that the home you have chosen is worth the loan your lender is making. In most cases, the appraisal comes in at or above the purchase price of...
by The Offer Company 