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Weekly Market Report
For Week Ending June 27, 2020 The National Association of REALTORS® shared in their latest REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey of more than 4,000 members that there were nearly three offers
Inventory
This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most
Home Warranty
A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and
Final Walkthrough
t’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the
Lower Your Insurance Costs
Review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report on the property you’re interested in buying. CLUE reports detail the property’s claims history for the most recent five years, which insurers
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a
Closing Documents You Should Keep
On closing day, expect to sign a lot of documents and walk away with a big stack of papers. Here’s a list of the most important documents you should file
Five Things to Know About Homeowner’s Insurance
Know about exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These types of coverage must be bought separately. Know
Packing Like A Pro
Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you’ve covered all the bases.
Packing Like A Pro
Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you’ve covered all the bases.
Why You Should Work with an REALTOR®
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®
Take the Stress Our of Home Buying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. Find a
Seven Reasons to Own Your Home
Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your
5 Common First Time Homebuyer’s Mistakes
They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys
Improve Your Credit
Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your
The Loan Process
Step 1 Set up a meeting with your loan officer to fill out the loan application. After you provide the required documents, a credit report will be ordered by the
Specialty Mortgages
In high-priced housing markets, it can be difficult to afford a home. That’s why a growing number of home buyers are forgoing traditional fixed-rate mortgages and standard adjustable-rate mortgages and
Mortgage Glossary
Acceleration Clause – A provision in a contract that gives the lender the right to demand repayment of the balance of the loan, in the event that the borrower violates
Loan Types to Consider
Brush up on these mortgage basics to help you determine the loan that will best suit your needs. Mortgage terms. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms.
Lender Check List
W-2 forms — or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed — for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan. Copies of at least one
How Big a Mortgage Can I Afford?
How Big a Mortgage Can I Afford? Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it also makes great financial sense because of
Finding A Loan Officer
Get Your Finances in Order Develop a household budget. Instead of creating a budget of what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual
Finding A Loan Officer
Finding A Loan Officer Thinking about the mortgage process can be scary. It seems so complicated, with so many offers to choose from. So where do you start? With your
Creative Financing
Creative Financing Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
Your Property Wish List
Your Property Wish List What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep
All About Home Inspections
All About Home Inspections Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than
Find the Perfect Neighborhood
Find the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite
Pros and Cons of Condo Living
Pros and Cons of Condo Living Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But
How High Tech is Your Home
How High Tech is Your Home If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist. Are there enough
Property Tax Questions
Property Tax Questions What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s
Ten Questions for Condo Board
Ten Questions for Condo Board Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive — and organized — its members are.
Simple Tips for Better Home Showings
Simple Tips for Better Home Showings With more buyers shopping for homes on the Web, photos and virtual tours are a must. There are many things you can do make
Prepare Your Home for a Virtual Tour
Prepare Your Home for a Virtual Tour With more buyers shopping for homes on the Web, photos and virtual tours are a must. There are many things you can do
How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale
How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little extra cash — before you sell
Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
welve Tips for Hiring Remodeling Contractor Get at least three written estimates. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or
What to Have on Hand for the New Owners
What to Have On Hand for The New Owners Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house. Garage door opener. Extra sets of house keys. A list of
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain — the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you
What is Appraised Value?
What is Appraised Value? Appraisals provide an objective opinion of value, but it’s not an exact science so appraisals may differ. For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based
Understand Agency Relationships
Understanding Agency It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transaction. Ask what type of agency relationship your
Navigating Short Sales
Navigating Short Sales If you’re thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of
Does Moving Up Make Sense?
Does Moving Up Make Sense? These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to
Moving Checklist for Sellers
Sellers Moving Checklist Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move. Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your
10 Tips for Moving With Pets
Ten Tips for Moving With Pets Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as
Why Work With a REALTOR®
Eight Reasons to Work With a REALTOR® Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a
Before Putting Your Home on the Market
Five Things to Do For Your Home Sale Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you
Choosing Your REALTOR®
Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time