Have you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself glued to the couch in an HGTV binge session? We’ve all been there, watching entire seasons of shows like “Property Brothers,” “Fixer Upper,” and “Love It or List It,” all in one sitting. When you’re in the middle of your real estate-themed TV show marathon, you might start […]
5 Easy Steps to Avoid Overwhelm from Media Overload
February 2, 2020 by ·
When someone is thinking about buying or selling a home, they want to be well-informed. They want to make the right decision for themselves and their family. They scour the internet for any information they can find about the housing market. Today, there is an abundance of information available. It is often conflicting news. It […]
What Buyers Need to Know About HOAs
January 25, 2020 by ·
When searching for a home, you may end up selecting a property in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Before you buy, it’s important to know how an HOA works and what they mean for you. According to a recent article on realtor.com, “In a nutshell, an HOA helps ensure that your community looks its […]
One of the Top Reasons to Own a Home
January 20, 2020 by ·
One of the benefits of homeownership is that it is a “forced savings plan.” Here’s how it works: You make a mortgage payment each month. Part of that payment is applied to the principal balance of your mortgage. Each month you owe less on the home. The difference between the value of the home and what you […]
Homeowners Are Happy….Find out why
January 14, 2020 by ·
When people talk about homeownership and the American Dream, much of the conversation revolves around the financial benefits of owning a home. However, two recent studies show that non-financial benefits might be even more valuable. In a recent survey, Bank of America asked homeowners: “Does owning a home make you happier than renting?” 93% of the respondents answered yes, while […]
62% of Buyers Are Wrong About Down Payment Needs
December 20, 2019 by ·
According to the ‘2019 Home Buyer Report’ conducted by Nerdwallet, many first-time buyers still believe they need a 20% down payment to buy a home in today’s market: “More than 6 in 10 (62%) Americans believe you must put at least 20% down in order to purchase a home.” When potential homebuyers think they need a 20% down […]
Homeownership is the Top Contributor to Your Net Worth
December 14, 2019 by ·
Many people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist Jonathan Eggleston and Survey Statistician Donald Hays, both of the U.S. Census Bureau, shared the biggest determinants of wealth, “The biggest determinants of household wealth [are] owning a home and having a retirement account.” (Shown in the graph below): This does […]
Know What to Expect at Your Home Inspection
December 3, 2019 by ·
So you made an offer and it was accepted. Now, your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. An agent protecting your interests will recommend making your offer contingent on a clean home inspection. This contingency will provide an opportunity for you (if needed) to renegotiate the price you paid for the home, […]
Stop Wondering What Your Budget Is…..
November 20, 2019 by ·
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a […]
TITLE INSURANCE: QUIET BUT POWERFUL PROTECTION
November 13, 2019 by ·
TITLE INSURANCE: QUIET BUT POWERFUL PROTECTION FOR BOTH BUYERS AND LENDERS When homebuyers get their closing cost estimates they inevitably find that a certain portion of their funds goes to pay for title insurance. Title insurance is seen by them and often by the real estate industry as a “necessary evil,” as how most feel […]
