buy sell: 7 Tips for Buying Your First Home in the U.S.
- 05/03/17 06:16 PM
Nothing says you’re truly an American like owning a home. And just over half of all foreign-born households living in the U.S. own their own home. If you’re ready to join them, try these seven tips for American-style homebuying success — the process here may be quite different from what you’re used to. 1. Be Ready to Prove Who You AreYou don’t have to get your citizenship, a green card, or any particular type of visa before you buy a home. But you do need: An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. That’s a number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to foreign nationals who need to … (0 comments)
buy sell: 7 Homeowner Tax Advantages
- 03/29/17 06:22 PM
Owning a home can be a real help at tax time because it generates deductions that may reduce the income tax you owe. Here are seven tax benefits for homeowners. 1. The mortgage interest deductionEvery year, you can deduct the amount of mortgage interest and late charges you pay on your mortgage and home equity loans, though there are limitations. Find out more in IRS Publication 936. If you were required to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) because you made a downpayment of less than 20% on your home, you can also deduct those premiums for your 2014 taxes. 2. Deductions for home loan feesTypically, … (0 comments)
buy sell: Should You Look for Your First House Or Keep Renting?
- 03/26/17 06:18 PM
Tired of working so hard just to build your landlord's equity instead of your own? Been dreaming about paint swatches and obsessing over Pinterest projects? Making that leap from renting to owning a home comes with many perks -- both financial and emotional. And even though home ownership comes with great responsibility, you might be surprised how achievable it can be. Certainly, the best time to trade security deposits for a down payment is different for everyone. If you're thinking about switching from renting to owning, ask yourself these five questions to decide if you're ready to embark on the home ownership … (0 comments)
buy sell: 5 Tips for Deciphering Your Home Loan’s Good-faith Estimate
- 09/19/16 10:53 AM
When you’re shopping for a mortgage loan, it’s sometimes hard to understand the jargon lenders use in the good-faith estimate explaining the costs and fees you’ll pay when taking out a mortgage. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender has three days to give you a good-faith estimate of the fees and interest rate you’ll pay, as well as other loan terms. Here are five tips for using the new three-page form to your advantage. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender has three days to give you a good-faith estimate of the fees and interest rate you’ll pay, as well … (0 comments)
buy sell: 5 Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
- 09/15/16 10:55 AM
When lenders take over a home through foreclosure, they want to sell it as quickly as possible. Since lenders aren't in the real estate business, they turn to real estate brokers for help marketing their properties. Buying a foreclosed home through the multiple listing service can be a bargain, but it can also be a problem-filled process. Here are five tips to help you buy smart. 1. Choose a foreclosure sale expert.Lenders rarely sell their own foreclosures directly to consumers. They list them with real estate brokers. You can work with a real estate agent who sells foreclosed homes for lenders, or have … (0 comments)
buy sell: Make Your House FHA-Loan Friendly
- 08/18/16 10:34 AM
Make your house FHA-friendly, and it will appeal to more homebuyers. Why? Because the Federal Housing Administration is insuring the mortgage loans used by about 30% of today’s homebuyers. If your house passes the FHA rules, it will appeal to buyers who plan to use an FHA-insured mortgage. If your house doesn’t qualify for an FHA loan, you’re cutting out 30% of potential buyers. FHA is especially important to first-time homebuyers and those with small downpayments because it allows borrowers with good credit to make a downpayment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. Here’s how to make your home appealing to FHA … (0 comments)
buy sell: Listing and Selling Your Green Home
- 08/07/16 12:33 PM
You’ve upgraded your home with the latest green features and there’s an eco-friendly buyer out there looking for a green home. How can the two of you connect? Choose a green real estate agentHire a real estate agent who knows as much about green homes as you do. About 5,000 REALTORS® nationwide have earned the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®Green Designation by taking classes in green building, sustainable business practices, and green home marketing. A private company offers the EcoBroker designation. Questions to ask a REALTOR® who specializes in green homes: Have you had special training in selling green homes? Do you serve buyers … (0 comments)
buy sell: Pet Odor Can Chase Away Buyers
- 06/08/16 11:17 AM
Having pet odors inside your home can turn off potential home buyers and keep your home from selling. Ask your real estate agent for an honest opinion about whether your home has a pet smell. If your agent holds her nose, here’s how to get rid of the smell: Air your house out. While you’re cleaning, throw open all the windows in your home to allow fresh air to circulate and sweep out unpleasant scents. Once your house is free of pet odors, do what you can to keep the smells from returning. Crate your dog when you're out or keep it outdoors. Limit the … (0 comments)
buy sell: How to Tell If You Should Look for Your First House — Or Renew Your Lease
- 05/09/16 10:38 AM
Tired of working so hard just to build your landlord's equity instead of your own? Been dreaming about paint swatches and obsessing over Pinterest projects? Making that leap from renting to owning a home comes with many perks -- both financial and emotional. And even though home ownership comes with great responsibility, you might be surprised how achievable it can be. Certainly, the best time to trade security deposits for a down payment is different for everyone. If you're thinking about switching from renting to owning, ask yourself these five questions to decide if you're ready to embark on the home ownership … (0 comments)
Nothing says you’re truly an American like owning a home. And just over half of all foreign-born households living in the U.S. own their own home.
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