How to find the right agent for you! Not all real estate agents are created equally — and even if they were, not all would be a great fit for you and your unique search. If you haven’t used an agent before, or if you did and it was less than pleasant, you might not be…
It’s the biggest hack to homeownership, and probably the most misunderstood: a home loan preapproval. How do you know when you’re financially set to get preapproved? Here’s what lenders look for and what you need to do if you’re not quite there. What you need for a mortgage preapproval Unlike a mortgage pre-qualification, a preapproval…
Without a high credit score, you won’t qualify for the best mortgage rates available, which could mean you’ll end up paying more money over the term of your mortgage. Even with rates at historic lows right now, the difference between 3.5% and 3.75% can add up, especially if you’re applying for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage….
When Courtney St. Gemme-Chandler and her husband bought an older home in Aurora, Colorado, in 2012, they assumed it would need some minor TLC. But their elation at the closing table soon turned to frustration when the house started falling apart — and repair costs began piling up. Right after they moved in, a pipe…
The amount of work and money required to maintain a historic home can vary, depending on the condition it’s in. However, if you go in prepared, this labor of love can be less laborious. Here are six things to keep in mind before you make your home in a little slice of history. 1. Historic…
Ah, fall. The return of all things pumpkin-spiced, cooler weather and the new school year (which this mom is thrilled about). It’s also an opportune time to buy a home and possibly snag a great deal in the process. Buyer demand begins to wane this time of the year, which means motivated home sellers are more likely…
Median home sale prices have risen on a year-over-year basis for 52 consecutive months. In June, they reached yet another all-time high. Sure, from a macro view, we all understand that it’s a matter of supply and demand — not enough homes for sale in the major employment centers. But what about your house, or…
Homebuyers make a lot of mistakes that hurt their chances of getting a mortgage preapproval from their lender. You don’t want to join their ranks and sabotage your home purchase. To find out what those missteps are, we talked to two lending experts: Casey Fleming, a mortgage advisor with C2 Financial Corp. in San Jose, California,…
The concept of a “starter home” is quickly becoming a real estate relic, like track lighting and brass hardware. Time was, young families with average incomes who were shopping for a first house would choose a small one in an affordable neighborhood — maybe with just a hint of a yard and a carport, rather…
Updated Kitchen and Bathroom This is probably not breaking any news, but buyers love modern/up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms. Whether that means all stainless steel appliances, brand new cabinetry, a waterfall shower, or all of the above, making sure your kitchen and bathrooms are up to snuff will pay off big time. Unsurprisingly, 81% of real…
