buying a home: Ways To Use Your Tax Refund If You Want To Buy a Home - 04/15/24 08:28 AM
Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a number of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But did you also know your tax refund can help you pay for some of these expenses? As Credit Karma explains:
“If one of your goals is to stop renting and buy a home, you’ll need to save up for closing costs and a down payment on the mortgage. A tax refund can give you a start on the road to homeownership. If you’ve already started to save, your tax refund … (3 comments)

buying a home: Top 5 Reasons To Hire an Agent When Buying a Home - 04/05/24 07:43 AM
Some Highlights Hiring an agent when buying a home helps you understand the buying process and the local market. They’ll also go over contracts and fine print with you, so you understand what you're agreeing to. Plus, they're good at negotiating, making sure you get the best deal. Expert advice from a trusted real estate professional is priceless. Let’s connect today.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy … (2 comments)

buying a home: 4 Tips To Make Your Strongest Offer on a Home - 03/18/24 10:09 AM
Are you thinking about buying a home soon? If so, you should know today’s market is competitive in many areas because the number of homes for sale is still low – and that’s leading to multiple-offer scenarios. And moving into the peak homebuying season this spring, this is only expected to ramp up more.
Remember these four tips to make your best offer.
1. Partner with a Real Estate Agent Rely on a real estate agent who can support your goals. As PODS notes:
“Making an offer on a home without an agent is certainly possible, but having a pro by … (0 comments)

buying a home: What Mortgage Rate Do You Need To Move? - 03/12/24 09:08 AM
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, mortgage rates are probably top of mind for you. They may even be why you’ve put your plans on hold for now. When rates climbed near 8% last year, some buyers found the numbers  just didn’t make sense for their budget anymore. That may be the case for you too.
Data from Bright MLS shows the top reason buyers delayed their plans to move is due to high mortgage rates (see graph below):
David Childers, CEO at Keeping Current Matters, speaks to this statistic in the recent How’s The Market podcast:
“Three quarters of buyers said … (1 comments)

buying a home: Finding Your Perfect Home in a Fixer Upper - 03/11/24 07:39 AM
If you’re trying to buy a home and are having a hard time finding one you can afford, it may be time to consider a fixer-upper. That’s a house that needs a little elbow grease or some updates, but has good bones. Fixer-uppers can be a really great option if you’re looking to break into the housing market or want to stretch your budget further. According to NerdWallet:
“Buying a fixer-upper can provide a path to homeownership for first-time home buyers or a way for repeat buyers to afford a larger home or a better neighborhood. With the relatively low inventory … (3 comments)

buying a home: What To Know About Credit Scores Before Buying a Home - 03/04/24 09:03 AM
If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. Lenders review your credit to see if you typically make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. Your credit score can also help determine your mortgage rate. An article from US Bank explains:
“A credit score isn’t the only deciding factor on your mortgage application, but it’s a significant one. So, when you’re house shopping, it’s important to know where your credit stands and how to use it to get the best mortgage rate possible.” That means … (3 comments)

buying a home: The Truth About Down Payments - 02/26/24 07:27 AM
If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case.
Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.
As The Mortgage Reports says:
“Although putting down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance is wise if affordable, it’s a myth that this is always necessary. In fact, most people opt for a much … (2 comments)

buying a home: Strategic Tips for Buying Your First Home - 02/20/24 07:57 AM
Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it's a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you'll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges.
So, if you're ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality.
Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs                                        Paying the initial costs of homeownership, like your down payment and … (3 comments)

buying a home: Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership - 02/14/24 09:48 AM
Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional.
So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership.
Customizing to Your Heart’s Desire Your house should be a space that’s uniquely you. And, if you’re a renter, that can be hard to achieve. When you rent, the paint colors are usually the standard shade of … (1 comments)

buying a home: Winning Plays for Buying a Home in Today’s Market - 02/11/24 07:40 AM
Some Highlights In today's housing market, you can still come out on top if you have the right team and plan. To win when buying a home, you need to build your team, make strategic plays, consider what’s in and out of bounds, and stand out from the crowd. Let’s connect today to make your winning move.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
Let’s Connect:
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the … (5 comments)

buying a home: Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home - 01/16/24 03:00 PM
Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why.
Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built homes are becoming an increasingly significant part of today’s housing inventory. According to the most recent report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):
“Newly built homes available for sale accounted for 31% of total homes available for sale in November, compared to an approximate 12% historical … (6 comments)

buying a home: What Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power - 01/08/24 07:05 AM
If you want to buy a home, it's important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below):
This recent trend is great news for buyers. As a recent article from Bankrate says:
“The rate cool-off somewhat eases the housing affordability squeeze.”And according to Edward Seiler, AVP of Housing Economics and Executive Director of the Research Institute for Housing America at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA):
“MBA expects that … (1 comments)

buying a home: Thinking About Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions - 01/03/24 08:25 AM
If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, home prices and mortgage rates are coming up a lot.
Here are the top two questions you need to ask yourself as you make your decision, including the data that helps cut through the noise.
1. Where Do I Think Home Prices Are Heading?One reliable place you can turn to for … (3 comments)

buying a home: What You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024 - 12/28/23 07:07 AM
If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter up front. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you set a plan and take a strategic look at your budget and your process before you even get started.
Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about.
1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of … (4 comments)

buying a home: Get Ready To Buy a Home by Improving Your Credit Score - 12/26/23 08:06 AM
As the new year approaches, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it's never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score.
Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. An article from CNBC explains:
“When it comes to mortgages, a higher credit score can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. This is because your credit … (4 comments)

buying a home: Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? - 12/10/23 07:54 AM
Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You're not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why.
The Numbers May Make It TemptingThe data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below):
It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see … (3 comments)

buying a home: Your Homebuying Adventure - 12/08/23 08:08 AM
Some Highlights Here are the key milestones you’ll encounter on your path to homeownership.  From building your team, to house hunting, all the way to moving into your new home – it’s an exciting adventure. Your journey starts here. Let’s connect so you have expert guidance each step of the way.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
Let’s Connect:
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Instagram
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing … (2 comments)

buying a home: Why You Should Use a Real Estate Agent When You Buy a Home - 12/07/23 08:07 AM
If you’ve recently decided you’re ready to become a homeowner, chances are you’re trying to figure out what to do first. It can feel a bit overwhelming to know where to start, but the good news is you don’t have to navigate all of that alone.
When it comes to buying a home, there are a lot of moving pieces. And that’s especially true in today’s housing market. The number of homes for sale is still low, and home prices and mortgage rates are still high. That combination can be tricky if you don’t have reliable expertise and a trusted advisor on … (1 comments)

buying a home: Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America? - 11/27/23 07:25 AM
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may find yourself interested in the latest real estate headlines so you can have a pulse on all of the things that could impact your decision. If that’s the case, you’ve probably heard mention of investors, and wondered how they’re impacting the housing market right now. That could leave you asking yourself questions like:
How many homes do investors own? Are institutional investors, like large Wall Street Firms, really buying up so many homes that the average person can’t find one? To answer those questions, here’s the real story of what’s happening based … (3 comments)

buying a home: Why Homeowners Feel Thankful for Their Homes - 11/24/23 08:01 AM
Some Highlights Here are three reasons why homeowners feel thankful for their homes. First, it’s a safe place that can give you a greater sense of comfort, safety, and security. Second, it gives you freedom of expression. From the color of the paint to the art on the walls, you can express your style and your personality. Third, it provides a sense of community. Owning your home helps you build lasting friendships with neighbors and connects you to your community. If you're thinking of buying a home and want to hear more about the potential benefits, let's talk.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 … (2 comments)