News, Tips, & More
Most real estate experts would tell you that spring and early summer is peak season for buying or selling a home, and statistics show that they’re right. But that doesn’t mean that the rest of the summer is wasted time for people looking to buy or sell.
August, in particular, can be a productive month, as people are looking to move into better school districts, move before the less than desirable winter months come, and are more anxious to sell after months of unproductive showings.
With mortgage interest rates remaining low compared to historic averages, many people are financing their home purchases – a move that makes a lot of financial sense.
Whenever you buy a property and intend to take out a mortgage on it, whether it be a house, condo or cooperative, all mortgage lenders will require an appraisal, which is an unbiased estimate of the true or fair market value of the property. All lenders order an appraisal during the mortgage loan process so that there is an objective way to assess the home's market value, and ensure the amount of money requested by the borrower is appropriate.
The homebuying process comes with a language all its own, and two of the terms you may have heard are prequalified and preapproved. While both can be essential parts of obtaining a mortgage and buying a home, you may not know what they mean. Check out the information below to learn how each term may benefit you during your home search.
Over the past year, the real estate market has been marked by unpredictability and, at times, overheated competition. This has resulted in some buyers bowing out after one too many disappointments while other potential buyers put off their home-buying plans, hoping that things would settle down.
Whichever type of buyer you are, you may be thinking ahead to the new year and planning to begin a search for a new home. If so, it’s vital to prepare yourself for the challenges—and opportunities—that lie ahead.
When you’re purchasing a home, most of your budgeting is built around the costs directly associated with your purchase. You’re probably planning for your EMD, home inspection, some repairs, your down payment, and closing costs. However, it’s also important to think through the way your budget will change once you’ve signed on the dotted line and bought your first home or upgraded to a new one. Here’s a list of expenses to take into consideration as you prepare for the months and years following closing.
When you're first starting to look to buy, you'll quickly pick up on a few trends happening in the local market. For example, you might notice an over abundance of properties available for sale (indicating a buyer's market), or on the flip side, you might not find very much available (indicating a seller's market).
Either way the market may be heading, there are always a couple of extra tips you'll want to note when looking at homes.
If you thought moving into your 900 square-foot apartment was tough, moving into your first home can be a real challenge. It’s hard to make the transition into your first home—knowing what items should be replaced and what needs to be purchased to fill a larger space.
Keep these moving tips (plus a helpful checklist) for first-time home buyers in mind for a smooth transition.
In the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic, economists predicted that the market for goods and services would grind to a halt for months or even years to come. However, in reality, the real estate market, including both the selling of homes and the improvement of existing properties, has grown in strength over the intervening months. Even for homeowners who aren’t thinking about selling, home renovation projects are experiencing unprecedented interest and generating robust economic activity.
Staging your home for an open house is crucial in adding appeal to buyers. However, many are unaware of the difference between full-on redecorating and simply staging a home to be presentable for showings.
Here is a breakdown of what home staging really means and how you can get your interior ready for the market.
