home buying: 7 Ways to Negotiate Your Home Purchase in a Seller’s Market - 05/19/21 07:58 AM
Home sellers have the upper hand in the current housing market. Prices are at record-breaking highs and inventory is at near-historic lows. Many properties on the market are garnering multiple offers and are selling faster than ever before, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
 
Despite favorable conditions for sellers, there are still ways buyers can work a home purchase to their advantage in the current environment. From submitting the initial offer to closing the deal, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the transaction that buyers can seize. 
7 items to negotiate when buying a home
Selling priceThe median price for an … (0 comments)

home buying: 6 Reasons to Change Your Auto Insurance When You Buy a Home - 02/22/21 01:03 PM
When you buy a new home, chances are you’re buying new home insurance as well. Your mortgage lender will generally require you to show proof that you have homeowners insurance on your new property. It’s a way to protect their investment, and yours.
 
While you’re in the insurance market, your new home could also be a good time to take a look at your auto insurance. Doing so may be able to help save you money and headaches.
6 reasons to review your auto insurance when you buy a house
1) You might get a “bundle” discount.
Companies prize loyalty, and it’s no different for … (0 comments)

home buying: Moving to a New Neighborhood? Should You Rent First or Buy Immediately? - 01/22/21 07:24 AM
The coronavirus pandemic gave the housing market an unexpected boost. Many city-dwellers — working remotely and no longer location-dependent — ditched their digs for more spacious homes in the suburbs. 
 
This so-called “urban exodus” was already in motion before the pandemic. But with the virus driving the number of remote workers to historic highs, the migration accelerated.
 
The trend may continue on some level. A recent poll shows that 26% of city residents are likely to move because of the pandemic — although that number is down from previous surveys. With the ease of searching for and buying a home online, many people … (0 comments)

home buying: A Contract Employee’s Guide to Homeownership in 2021 - 12/11/20 08:17 AM
To say the coronavirus pandemic has upended everyone’s plans this year would be an understatement. Millions of people were laid off and had to adjust their financial goals as they coped with the realities of the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
Perhaps you were among them and have since landed a new position as a contract worker, enabling you to continue moving forward despite the ongoing health crisis. Maybe your household finances have even been relatively stable this year, despite the transition to contracting from full-time employment.
 
Now you’re ready to buy a house, and it’s a good time to do it. Interest rates hit record … (1 comments)

home buying: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Furnished House - 10/27/20 12:17 PM
Generally, when you buy a house, you get nothing but the building(s), the land and everything that’s bolted down. Fences, sheds, carpeting, curtain rods, light fixtures and dishwashers generally stay. Furniture and televisions usually go.
 
But occasionally, you’ll find a furnished home for sale. Furnished homes come with a full set of furniture, appliances and sometimes even artwork. When you buy the home, you can also buy everything in it. 
 
Buying a furnished house isn’t for everyone. We’ll go over a few benefits of buying a furnished home, plus some drawbacks that could make you think twice.
Pros:You don’t have to worry about shopping … (2 comments)

home buying: 5 Tips for Being an Educated — But Not Exhausted — Home Shopper - 10/22/20 08:23 AM
Those in the homebuying market don’t need to be told twice: shopping for a house is difficult. For many consumers, purchasing real estate is the single largest investment they’ll ever make, not to mention the day-to-day impact their choice can have on their lifestyle.
 
Should the home be in the city or the suburbs? Have two bedrooms or four? Even once these basic parameters are locked in, you may still be faced with a superfluity of options — an excess of freedom which can, paradoxically, leave us feeling even more anxious and stymied.
 
Of course, “shopping around” can also help ensure you find … (1 comments)

home buying: 4 Times Real Estate Apps Do More Harm than Good - 07/27/20 06:46 PM
Real estate apps have become an increasingly popular method for homebuyers to begin their search. According to the National Association of Realtors, 44% of homebuyers in 2018 looked online for properties as the initial step in the process. And 76% of all buyers found their home on a mobile device. 
 
Real estate apps not only provide the convenience of being able to search through listings with different criteria from the comfort of your couch, but they also allow homebuyers to become self-educated about the costs of different neighborhoods or amenities before ever meeting with a real estate agent. However, these sites have … (4 comments)

home buying: 5 Client Considerations When Moving To an Up-and-Coming State - 12/04/19 11:36 AM
If your clients are looking for a change of pace, they're not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average person moves 11.7 times throughout their life. Many are setting their sites on up-and-coming cities or states, such as North Carolina. The Tar Heel state saw an 8.9% growth in population from 2010 to 2018.   
Whether these people are looking for a fresh start, want to pursue a different career or want to set down roots, moving to an up-and-coming state is a good way to start anew. Understanding what potential clients think about when planning these moves can help them … (0 comments)

home buying: 10 Tips to Help Manage a Client’s Mortgage Denial - 11/20/19 08:18 AM
Nothing can be more disheartening during the homebuying process than being denied a mortgage. Fortunately, receiving a rejection doesn’t mean a buyer has to give up on the dream of homeownership. With some education and a game plan, prospective homeowners can move forward after a mortgage denial.
State of the industry According to a recent analysis, almost one in 10 buyers receives a mortgage denial, which is the lowest denial rate since 2004.
 
The most common reasons for mortgage denial involve the amount of debt a buyer has and their credit history. But those aren’t the only factors that lead to rejection. Collateral is … (1 comments)

home buying: How to Get a Mortgage When You’re in Debt - 11/14/19 08:01 AM
While it is possible to get a mortgage when in debt, home shoppers should be aware of the impact it has on the mortgage process. 
 
Prospective buyers are sometimes surprised to discover that their debt load could lead to a higher interest rate, lower loan amount or the need to come up with a larger down payment.
 
To improve the chances of securing financing and having a smooth homebuying experience, buyers and real estate professionals should both have an understanding of the role debt plays when applying for a mortgage.
What real estate agents should knowEducating your clients about the impact their debt can … (0 comments)

home buying: 5 ways climate change is impacting the housing market - 09/11/19 08:18 AM
 
When someone mentions climate change, your first thoughts might turn to climbing temperatures. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), climate change extends beyond temperature. The things we rely on, including water systems, energy, transportation, ecosystems, and human and animal health are all changing because of the climate. 
 
What should the real estate community worry about most about the climate? 
When it comes to the housing market, there are significant concerns real estate agents and homeowners should understand. One is the rising sea levels in coastal areas, which puts communities at a greater risk of flooding. Louisiana, Delaware and New … (0 comments)

home buying: Home Considerations for Those Looking in Silicon Valley - 06/27/19 01:15 PM
Approximately 40 million Americans move homes every year, whether they’re upgrading, downsizing, or simply want to be closer to a job or family.  Those who have been through the house hunting process know that it can be intense. The stress level is often even higher for people living in markets where there’s a shortage of affordable housing, like Silicon Valley.  
 
One way that people cope with affordable housing shortages is by commuting. The number of ‘super commuters’ -- those who have a daily commute time of more than 90 minutes -- continues to rise at shocking rates in the Valley and surrounding … (0 comments)

home buying: What Features Should Georgia Homebuyers Look For to Protect Their Property from Severe Weather? - 04/17/19 07:20 AM
 
If you’re worried about the impact of severe weather on your home, you’re not alone. As of April, Georgia has already experienced two tornadoes so far in 2019. This could put the state on track to exceed last year’s total of five severe weather events.
 
With weather patterns continually changing, Georgia homebuyers need to factor storm readiness into their decision-making. Here are four things that you can look for when shopping for a home that will help keep you and your property safe in the event of a hurricane, tornado or flood.
Check the property’s flood riskAs you begin to look at … (0 comments)

home buying: How to Increase the Market Value of Your Property - 03/25/19 08:56 AM
How to Increase the Market Value of Your PropertyBefore putting your home on the market, it's important to do what you can to increase its value as much as possible. Even if you aren't planning on selling your home anytime soon, knowing which changes add significant value to your property can be helpful in the future.
 
Even inexpensive changes can add thousands of dollars to your home's market value. These cost-effective renovations could be the difference between being upside down on your mortgage and making a profit.
 
Consider making a few of these changes to significantly increase your home's market value before putting … (0 comments)

home buying: New Solar Panel Requirements for California Homes - 03/05/19 06:24 AM
The first Earth Day may have been celebrated nearly 50 years ago, but the idea of “Going Green” has grown in popularity in recent years. Individuals are embracing ways to be environmentally friendly by saying no to plastic straws, buying electric vehicles and opting into paperless statements. But environmentally conscious individuals are not the only ones looking for ways to leave a smaller carbon footprint. Businesses, educational organizations, and healthcare organizations have all begun to look for ways to go green. Most recently, the state of California joined the list by passing a mandate that requires all homes built after January … (1 comments)

home buying: 4 Underrated Housing Markets and How You Can Make the Most of Them - 01/23/19 08:31 AM
Between the stock market and the national news, it can be worrisome to be an investor that relies on the ebbs and flows of the Dow Jones industrial average. But what about real estate investors? Whether you’re a private homeowner or a real estate investor who wants to diversify out of stocks, there are plenty of opportunities in housing to find the profit you’re seeking:
 
Underrated Housing Market No.1: Large Cities in the Midwest
 
Ask someone to tell you about a great housing market they know, and you’ll probably get answers about high-priced markets in the Southeast or the West Coast. But what … (1 comments)

home buying: Northeast Home Values May Drop as Foundations Crumble - 11/29/18 11:11 AM
Massachusetts homeowners are starting to encounter crumbling foundations, an issue that more than 35,000 Connecticut homeowners know all too well. The problem stems from using a mineral called pyrrhotite, which causes concrete to corrode and crack over time.
 
This type of foundation issue isn't typically covered by home insurance, which is a cause for concern for Massachusetts homeowners as well as the rest of the United States. Homeowners will experience difficulty selling a home for the same value if the foundation is vulnerable to cracking and crumbling.
 
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover the Damage?
 
Connecticut homeowners with deteriorating foundations due to pyrrhotite found that insurers … (0 comments)

home buying: Why You Should Consider Moving Homes - 10/25/18 06:43 AM
According to a National Association of Realtors survey, most people consider homeownership a part of the "American dream." But no piece of the American dream should be too costly.
 
The average cost of moving within a state was about $1,100 in 2014, according to a U.S. News & World Report article. But is it possible to move—and even upgrade your home—and make it work for your finances?
 
The New York Times explored that question when it introduced its rent vs. mortgage calculator. Users enter details, such as home price and the planned length of stay, and the calculator gets to work and spits … (1 comments)

home buying: Homebuyers in Illinois May Face Weather-Driven Property Risks - 07/25/18 02:07 PM
While experts initially thought 2018 would be a year of low sales due to rising interest rates, the housing market is more competitive than ever, thanks to limited inventory. Homebuyers are being forced to make quick decisions if they want to secure a new home before another buyer comes along with a better offer.
 
Individuals looking to buy a home in Illinois are sure to have plenty to see from the Shawnee National Forest to beautiful lake shorelines, to plenty of museums showcasing art and artifacts. Before buying a home in Illinois, buyers should consider more than just the neighborhood, taxes and … (0 comments)

home buying: How Your Credit Score Will Impact Your Homebuying Ability - 07/09/18 10:19 AM
Why does a credit score matter? Not only is a consumer's credit score reflective of their relationship with debt, but it can have a dramatic impact on the quality of loans available. The most life-changing of these loans, for most consumers, is the home mortgage. If you have a low credit score, then a home mortgage can be prohibitively expensive.
 
If you're worried about how a negative credit score will impact your homebuying ability, it's important to understand what goes into a credit score—and what a low score might mean for your prospects of homeownership.
 
Understanding Your Credit Score
 
Just what comprises a consumer's … (1 comments)