“Hidden” Costs of Purchasing a Home that Many Buyers Overlook
April 01, 2021
For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest investments they’ll ever make. While your house budget likely includes the down payment and monthly mortgage payments, there are several often-overlooked costs associated with buying and owning a home—and even if you’re not a first-time buyer, some of these costs may come as a ...
This Is the No. 1 Reason First-Time Home Buyers Are Wading Into the Hot Housing Market
April 01, 2021
The housing market is so hot right now that even modest starter homes are receiving multiple offers going six figures over the asking price. But the high prices and lack of homes on the market don't seem to be stopping many first-time buyers from throwing their hats into the ultracompetitive ring.The top reason that almost two-thirds of ...
12 First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
April 01, 2021
1. Not figuring out how much house you can affordWithout knowing how much house you can afford, you might waste time. You could end up looking at houses that you can't afford yet, or visiting homes that are below your optimal price level.For many first-time buyers, the goal is to buy a house and get a loan ...
12 First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
April 01, 2021
1. Not figuring out how much house you can affordWithout knowing how much house you can afford, you might waste time. You could end up looking at houses that you can't afford yet, or visiting homes that are below your optimal price level.For many first-time buyers, the goal is to buy a house and get a loan ...
Top 5 Trendiest Interior Design Styles for Your Home's New Look!
April 01, 2021
Spring season is the best time to give our homes a new look and a fresh vibe. This season is the best time to make repairs, decorate and even renovate to potentially build some equity. If you are planning to give your home an interior major make-over this season, knowing the most popular design styles will help you decide ...
Buyer & Seller Perks in Today’s Housing Market
March 30, 2021
Buyer & Seller Perks in Today’s Housing Market Right now, the housing market is full of outstanding opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re thinking of buying your first home, moving up to a bigger one, or selling so you can downsize this spring, there are perks today that are powering big moves for people across ...
Roaring 20s: Real Estate Saddles Up for a Seller’s Market as One in Five Homeowners Plans to Sell this Year According to Survey
March 29, 2021
MADISON, N.J. (March 16, 2021) – Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a Realogy (NYSE: RLGY) brand, recently commissioned a survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll among over 1,300 U.S. homeowners, exploring their plans to sell amid this year’s fast-paced market to coincide with its national ad, “Guiding You Home Since 1906,...
Mortgage Interest Deductions 101
March 29, 2021
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4 Reasons the Highest Offer Doesn't Always Win!
March 26, 2021
Think the highest offer on a home always wins? Think again. Here are four reasons why a seller may not choose the highest offer:1. A buyer brings an all-cash offer: A buyer paying cash means there won’t be any financing pitfalls — and sellers LOVE avoiding pitfalls.2. A buyer can close ASAP: If a seller is antsy ...
Tax-Saving Methods for Real Estate Investors
March 22, 2021
There are a number of tax benefits that coincide with investment properties. Real estate investors see a lot more tax advantages as well as deductible expenses than the average occupation. As taxes take a good portion of a person’s income, there are a few tricks that investment properties can reduce your tax liability while simultaneously providing a good ...
Help your buyers to understand process
March 21, 2021
Purchasing real estate is likely to be the biggest and most complex financial transaction a person will make in their life. A trusted real estate professional is a strong advocate who understands the information and emotional support that buyers need throughout the process of finding and acquiring a home. As an expert with local market knowledge, real estate ...
6 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score
March 17, 2021
Improving your credit is a marathon, not a sprint. Adopting these habits can give you better credit in the long run. Whether you're applying for a mortgage, ready to refinance or thinking about the future, there's no time like right now to adopt healthy credit habits, like these: Pay your bills on time Making ...
Outdoors In Mobile Al
March 16, 2021
With so many options, it may be hard to decide how to spend a day in Mobile's great outdoors. The area is home to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, the largest river delta and wetland in Alabama and one of the largest in the country. In fact, there are not many places in the world that hold the eco-diversity of ...
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
March 16, 2021
March☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)April☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)May☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)Quarterly☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors☐ ...
When does re-financing make sense?
March 16, 2021
Article creds: Bankrate.comThe biggest question is whether refinancing makes sense for you.Bill Packer, executive vice president and chief operating officer of eLEND, provides a quick tutorial on factors to consider. “Refinancing a mortgage is a factor of three key items: (1) the after-tax monthly savings (new payment compared to old payment after any tax-favored treatment); (2) ...
Buyer Access to List Agent during Holidays
March 16, 2021
List agent availability. I make sure that all buyers have complete access for HUD property information with all phone numbers and my email. I make it a priority to remain in town so I can be available for property information, and explain the offer process on HUDHomestore.com. I also encourage any buyer to feel free to call ...
15 Easy Tips on How to Sell Your Home in the Spring
March 15, 2021
Credit goes to Elizabeth Weintraub from the balance15 Easy Tips on How to Sell Your Home in the Spring...
How Upset Should You Be About 3% Mortgage Rates?
March 15, 2021
Earlier this month, Freddie Mac announced that their 30-year fixed mortgage rate was over 3% (3.02%) for the first time since last July. That news dominated real estate headlines that day and the next. Articles talked about the “negative impact” it may have on the housing market. However, we should realize two things:1. The bump-up in rate ...
How Agents Can Help First-Time Home Buyers
March 15, 2021
Buying a home for the first time is undoubtedly a daunting prospect for many. First-timers are committing to a substantial financial contract that will affect their life for many years. It is also easy for a buyer to worry that they don’t know what’s typical during the process.As your agent we can be a guiding force ...
How Do I Find The Right HUD Home For Me?
March 13, 2021
Post by: Nancy Braun, Showcase Realty Here Are Some Tips On How To Secure The HUD Home That Is Right For You Choosing the place you are going to call home is a big decision to make, and not one to take lightly. HUD homes are a popular choice, especially for first-time homebuyers. This is not surprising because ...
5 Things to Know First Before Applying for a Home Loan
March 13, 2021
1Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced buyer, there are some important things to know first to ensure that your home buying process is smooth and simple. Here are five important tips to keep in mind on your homebuying journey!Be Timely with Paying BillsWhen applying for a home loan, it is important you have a good ...
Real Estate Photography Tips
March 11, 2021
So you are getting ready to sell your home and need some pointers on preparing your space for photos. This may seem overwhelming and unnecessary, but professional quality photos and the time spent preparing for them will be worth the effort! After all, these photos are going to show up in home searches on sites like Zillow, ...
Cares Act and your 401K
March 11, 2021
As borrowed from WUSA9Author: Michael QuanderWASHINGTON — If you borrowed money from your 401(k) savings account to help during the coronavirus pandemic, tax professionals urge people not to forget to pay Uncle Sam.For those who needed cash during the pandemic last year, the CARES Act made it easy to tap into their nest eggs early and without penalty....
5 Reasons to Sell Your House This Spring
March 11, 2021
5 Reasons to Sell Your House This Spring When selling a house, most homeowners hope for a quick and profitable transaction that puts them in a position to make a great move. If you’re waiting for the best time to win as a seller, the market is calling your name this spring. Here are five reasons why this ...
May you live in interesting times!
March 11, 2021
It was once said, " I hope you live in interesting times". Little do most folks know, this is considered an old Chinese curse!Depending on what is going on, it could very well be a wish for great times!I am going to give you an example and let you decide which side this falls on. Recently ...
