One of the best things you can do to ensure you get the home you want is to arrange for financing before you go shopping. This is often referred to as getting “pre-approved”. Getting pre-approved simply means that your lender has calculated how much of a mortgage they’re willing to offer you, depending on your […]
Get Your Home-Hunting Ducks in a Row
Why You Should Order Your Own Credit Report
“I don’t have a problem with credit,” a potential new home buyer says. “I pay my bills on time. I never have trouble getting a loan.” That may be true. However, according to several surveys, most people are surprised by at least one piece of information in their credit report. And it only takes one […]
The Vocabulary of Selling a Home
As in any industry, there are terms and buzzwords that are unique to residential real estate. When you put your home on the market, you should know what those terms mean. Here are definitions for the most common ones: Fair Market Value: This is an estimate of how much a specific home will sell for […]
Can You Afford the Home You Want?
Can you afford to purchase the home you really want? Here are some things to consider:. What kind of home do you want? What kind of neighborhood do you want to live in? What features and characteristics do you need in a home? (Three bedrooms? A large living room for entertaining? A backyard big enough […]
7 Tips to Make Buying a Home Smooth Sailing
In the nautical world of pleasure boating, there is a specific process to follow to ensure a fun day on the water. Skip one of those steps and you risk having a miserable experience. The same holds true when buying a new home. There is a process to follow to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here […]
How Do You Perfectly Time Selling & Buying a Home?
5 Budget Considerations When Buying Your New Home
You’re probably aware that there’s more to the cost of a new home than its purchase price. So to help you make an informed decision, ask yourself the following questions: How much do you expect to pay for moving expenses? Don’t forget to include packing materials in your calculations. “Closing costs” are the extra charges […]
Home Shopping & the Four-Legged Stool
What kind of stool is most likely to keep you from toppling over when you sit on it? Of course, two-legged stools won’t even stand on their own. Three-legged stools are okay, but still unstable. Four-legged stools are rock solid. What does that have to do with shopping for a new home? Well, if you […]