These days, we seemingly do everything online. We communicate with one another, shop for gifts and groceries, learn about new things, and even find out who’s related to us. So, why not look for your next home online rather than waste all that time driving back and forth to possible homes that might interest you?
Makes sense, right? Most homes are now advertised online, so it seems the logical first place to go when it’s time to start shopping for that perfect house. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, from work, on your phone. It’s convenient and allows you to do some “trimming down” before you make a list of houses you’d like to see.
However, there are some caveats to online house shopping, and it’s important to be aware of these
A startling number of consumers have had bad experiences with moving companies. We’re not talking merely inconsiderate or clumsy movers who break an item or two but, instead, those companies that scam trusting clients out of extra money, holding your treasured household goods hostage until you pay them what they want, which is often hundreds of dollars more than what was quoted.
It sounds scary. But, sadly, it happens all the time, and most people pay the money just to get their stuff back. Even if it’s reported later, there’s no guarantee the funds will be returned.
So, to avoid such scenarios, it’s necessary to follow a series of steps when choosing your mover. If you do these things, chances are moving day will go off without a hitch, and
So, you’ve bought a house. It’s your dream home…at least, for now, it’s the perfect home for you and/or your family. The seller loved your offer, and you were pre-approved for the mortgage, so the deal’s in the bag, right?
Not so fast!
Even if you’ve gotten over the hurdles of financing and perhaps even the home inspection, a tricky little thing known as the home appraisal still potentially stands in the way of your happiness.
What is a home appraisal?
Simply put, an appraisal is an estimate of the value of your home, including all the fixtures on it and all the property on which it sits.
You cannot get financing – a mortgage – on your home until a licensed appraiser has seen the property and determines its value. Why? Because, like any
When you purchased your home, you had to choose how you were going to pay for it. In some cases, if you’ve been in the market for a while or are perhaps scaling down to a less expensive house, you may have paid cash for your new home.
However, in the year 2017 – according to the National Association of Realtors – 88 percent of all home buyers took out a mortgage of some sort when they made a home purchase. It may have been a “conventional” mortgage, or it may have been an FHA or VA loan. Regardless of the type, however, money for a home purchase was borrowed by nearly 90 percent of all those who made a home purchase that year. That’s a lot of loans!
Mortgages are certainly a convenience…but they’re also expensive, and it usually takes decades to
You're ready to take the plunge. You're excited but feeling a little overwhelmed about your decision to purchase your first home. After all, it's likely going to be the largest purchase you've ever made, and you're still a little uncertain about making such a commitment. Plus, it's a long and challenging process, right?
Not necessarily. Of course, there will be plenty of stressors associated with home buying, but if you do it right and understand what lies in front of you, there's no reason for this to be anything other than a pleasant transaction!
Very simply put, there are 8 steps you need to progress through before you have the keys to your new home in your hand.
Choose a Realtor
Start by interviewing several realtors in your area to
For many history buffs or lovers of old architecture, buying an old home is at the top of their list. They salivate when they see that 1700s-built colonial or that perfect Victorian from the late 1900s. They envision an old home as the ideal house for them and the one they’ve been waiting to buy for years.
So, when the opportunity arises to purchase that perfect old house – you know, the one you purposely pass each day on the way home from work - many people jump in with both feet…without really thinking about the consequences. While the historical home you’re eyeing might be in great condition – or APPEAR to be in great condition, more often than not there are many things to consider prior to purchasing and others for which you should be on the
Most of us rent our living spaces at one time or another. Whether it’s a room in someone else’s house, an apartment, or even a single-family home, renting is very often the best option for Americans just starting out…and sometimes for those who’ve been there and done the buying thing and are ready to scale down. (More on that in another blog!)
Anyway, suppose you’re now feeling quite settled and are tired of paying rent and watching your monthly payment disappear with clearly no financial advantage to you. You want to start building equity and want to select a place that you can make “your own”. So, in your mind, it’s time to buy. After all, if you can afford rent, you can afford a mortgage payment that’s equal to it, right?
It’s happening all around the country. You’re hearing the phrase “seller’s market” mentioned in conjunction with many of the real estate markets in the U.S. today.
Indeed, it’s a good time for sellers to capitalize on the fact that there are lots of folks hoping to buy a home but not enough homes to fulfill all those needs. That leaves sellers with a smile on their face and buyers wondering whether or not they’re going to be able to buy an affordable home in this tight market.
As a buyer, you’ll especially feel the crunch if you’re looking for a home in a first-time buyer’s typical price range for your area AND if you’re looking for a home that doesn’t require that you go in and do a lot of repairs or updating. If you are a bit more flexible on
So, you just bought a new house, but it needs a little work. You got it for a good price, but you know you’ll need to put some dollars into a renovation that will make you happy.
You’re especially eager to tear out that old shag carpet or to rip up those outdated vinyl tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms. But when you head to the home improvement store and browse through the flooring department, the choices are a little overwhelming. You were adamant about hardwood, but now you think laminate is okay. And what about bamboo? What the heck is that and why would you use it on your floors? And there’s always the carpet route.
Consider your Lifestyle
How you live, who lives in your house, and what you can afford will largely determine in which
Millennials – or members of Generation Y – are heading into their home-buying years. Many have graduated from college and found success in the workforce, with salaries that support their desire to own their own place. Others went straight from high school into trades or other jobs and have now amassed enough money for a downpayment on a starter home and are eager to start shopping.
This generation, however, say the experts, is definitely different than generations before when it comes down to what they are seeking in the home of their dreams or – at least – the home that will eventually lead to the home of their dreams. It’s not necessarily the big back yard for the dog and the kids those baby boomers sought or the sprawling house in the suburbs
