It’s hard not to get glued to the 30-minute drama of some of today’s property-buying-flipping-loving-and-listing lineup of real estate reality TV shows. After all, they are pretty entertaining. And, that’s the point. These shows are simply entertainment. But if you log too many hours watching reality TV versions of real estate, you may start to get a skewed idea of what it’s really like...
Whether or not you’re a first-time homebuyer, you’ve probably given some thought to how to negotiate with the seller when it comes to contract time. But most homebuyers focus only on price. While price is critical, it isn’t the only part of the contract you may want to negotiate. Particularly in a market when inventories are low, being able to negotiate on things besides price could help your...
If you are in the market for a new home, you may be wondering exactly what type of loan is right for you? In some instances, you may be able to eliminate a few options right out of the gate. If you or your spouse have no military history, you can eliminate a VA loan. Or, if you’re looking for a home in the city or most suburbs, the property won’t qualify for a USDA loan. The majority of...
There’s no getting around it: financing a home can be full of acronyms and jargon. So, how do you sift through all the language to understand your loan options? Your lender is an invaluable resources when you have questions about your mortgage application or loan. But to give you a head start, here is a primer on two facets of your potential new mortgage you’ll need to understand in order to...
If you’ve just applied for a mortgage–or are getting ready to do so–you probably know what to do ahead of your application, to ensure your financial house is in order. But what about after you’ve submitted your application? You may be surprised to learn there are some important do’s and don’ts for how you address your spending and income, even after you’ve made your mortgage...
They’re members of the family, so it’s not surprising that anxiety over how Fluffy or Fido are going to manage through your upcoming move is high on your worry list. Some pets take to change better than others, but it’s fair to say most pets will go through some level of stress when moving from one home to the next. Here are some tips on how to reduce their stress (and yours!) and help them make...
You’ve saved your down payment, you’ve gotten your pre-qualification from your lender and even made your list of priorities. But, before you start that home search, here are seven things to keep in mind: Plan ahead so you don’t lose out. There’s nothing worse than finding the house of your dreams only to lose out to another buyer because your financing wasn’t in order. Don’t wait until...
If you’ve been renting, you may wonder whether it makes sense to buy a home. You may have heard that inventories are tight right now or that the home-buying process is challenging. Maybe you have questions over the financial side of buying a home—and whether it’s better to rent or buy. If you’re still trying to figure out whether it’s better to rent or to buy, here are seven reasons you may...
Applying for a mortgage as a first-time homebuyer seems so simple these days. Upload some information online, hit submit and you’re good, right? Maybe not so fast. There are certain questions you can expect to be asked in one form or another, whether it’s during your online app or in follow up. It’s always best not to be blindsided, so here is a heads up on what you’re likely to be...
Down payments can be the bane of many would-be homeowners. Add to the challenge all the free advice many would-be homeowners are bombarded with by well-meaning friends and family. In many cases, the information isn’t true or is only partially so. Here’s a look at three of the most common myths surrounding down payments: Fiction: You can’t buy a house unless you’ve saved 20% of...
