First Time Home Buyer

Encroachments In Real Estate: What You Need To Know

Every homebuyer and homeowner should be aware if there are encroachments on their property or, a potential property you will purchase. An encroachment in real estate is if a neighbor accesses your land for their benefit without your permission. While most property encroachments are minor, some are not and can significantly affect the value of your home or impact your ability to get a mortgage. At the very least, an encroachment can be a significant nuisance. What is the Definition of … Continue reading...

What Is Debt To Income Ratio?

Most home buyers need a mortgage to buy a home. Getting a mortgage can be quite daunting. You will have a whole set of mortgage terms being thrown around. One of which is debt to income ratio. So you may be left wondering what is debt to income ratio. The acronym for debt to earnings ratio is DTI. Lenders and real estate agents will throw that acronym around like everyone knows what it is. Your debt to income ratio is one of the biggest qualifying factor in how … Continue reading...

23 First-Time Home Buying Tips That Matter!

Buying a home as a first-time homebuyer is a big deal. There is so much you need to know as a first-time homebuyer to have a successful home purchase. Like anything in life, the more you put into buying your first home the more you will get out of it. Today we will discuss some first-time home buying tips and advice that will set you on the path to successfully buy your first home. The first-time home buying tips will be broken down into: Preparing to Buy Financial Viewing Homes Making an … Continue reading...

Pre-Offer Home Inspection- Competitive Home Buying 2022

The real estate market for 2022 shows it is going to be much of the same. What does that mean to a home buyer that hasn't bought in many years, or a home buyer entering the market for the first time? Chaos!! I met with a buyer looking to buy a condo who hadn't bout a home in almost 20 years. When I described the market and what buyers are willing to do to compete for good homes, they were taken aback. The buyer was completely against giving up their home … Continue reading...

Down Payment Assistance

Buying a home can be a daunting task. Never mind finding just the right home that fits your budget. But on top of that you have a down payment and closing costs to worry about. Buying a house may be a top priority for you and a goal you are determined to accomplish. Exploring your down payment assistance and grant options may help make buying your first home a reality. Now you can stop paying your landlords mortgage and pay your own!! By tapping into the available grants … Continue reading...

Is My Real Estate Agent Really Working for Me?

When it come time to buy or sell a house, most people call a real estate agent to aid in their home sale or purchase. Whether you are buying or selling a home, understanding real estate agency is critical. Buying a home and looking at homes is fun. Talking about the legal aspects is not. Do yourself a big favor and decide on how your real estate agent is going to work for you. The only type of real estate agent that works soley for you that protects … Continue reading...

Accepted Offer On A House, Now What?

It has been a journey to get where you are.... getting financed to buy a home, going to open houses every weekend, scouring the internet for a new home, and finally getting an offer accepted on a new home. But now what? Getting your offer accepted is only half the battle. After getting an accepted offer on a home and going under agreement there are many steps along the way is an opportunity to delay your closing or in extreme cases kill the deal. Lets … Continue reading...

Video and Audio Surveillance During Home Showings

Technology has come a long way and when it comes to home surveillance. It is easy to install a very comprehensive video and audio recording system using security cams or hidden cameras that are both equipped with microphones. When it comes time to sell your home, you may already have some sort of surveillance on the interior or exterior of your home, whether it is made up if surveillance cameras in plain sight, hidden cameras, spy cameras or nanny cams. With today's technology, it … Continue reading...

Broom Clean Condition, What Does It Mean?

Many real estate contracts use the term broom clean or broom swept to describe the condition of how a property is to be left. But what does broom-clean really mean for a home seller or a home buyer? It is a very ambiguous term. And, while you will often find the term broom clean condition in a contract there is no legal definition. It does leave the delivery in a gray area if any issues would arise. And if a home seller does not leave the home in broom clean … Continue reading...

How To Save On Closing Costs As A Buyer

Buying a house is one of the most expensive purchases most people will ever make. The total price can be staggering, but it’s paid out over many months, so it feels more doable. But on closing day, you’ll be hit with quite a few upfront fees and costs that need to be in your budget. Many buyers aren’t aware of the “sticker shock” of all the extra fees that come due at closing. These average out to roughly 3% to 4% of the home price. It might not sound like a lot of money. But on a $200,000 … Continue reading...