What Could Possibly Go Wrong With My Real Estate Transaction?
If you’ve bought or sold real estate before – and it all came off without a hitch – congratulations! It actually happens most of the time just that way. Everyone does their job in a timely manner and all the pieces fall into place right on schedule. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part […]
Home Ownership Isn’t Always About The Money
We’ve written before about many of the financial reasons that owning a home makes good sense (especially right now – with interest rates so low and rents so high). And you’ve probably seen many other headlines and articles explaining the monetary benefits that you gain when you buy a home, too. But let’s set the […]
Buy or Rent? And How Should You Decide?
It’s the rare individual who gets to leave their parents’ home and head straight into buying a place of their own. Most of the time, we’re in a hurry to declare our independence – and we see the biggest part of that as having a space to call our own (even if it is rented). […]
4 Tips To Creating Your Ideal Outside Living Room
Have you ever seen photos of outdoor living spaces that seemed to be calling your name? The ones that make you sigh and think “What would I give for THAT?!” Well, you’re not alone. But the good thing is there are plenty of ways to get your back yard there, whether you’re looking to meet […]
Not All Mortgage Loans Are The Same – Shop, Ask, & Know These 15 Lending Terms
Whether you’re new to homeownership, or in the process of hunting for your 10th residence – the one thing that most of us have in common is the need for a mortgage lender. (Any recent lottery winners out there? If so, you have our permission to skip this article.) And thank goodness for mortgage loans, […]
Same Home – Different Viewpoint. He-Said-She-Said.
It used to be called the “Till Decorating Do Us Part” syndrome. Couples building a home together can have such differences in how to get to the finish line, that sometimes it causes a real rift in a relationship. But with a little inside information, and an open mind as to why the extra garage […]
Home Upgrades You Shouldn’t Pass Up
The Big Day has arrived! You’ve found “The House” – the one where you’re going to put down roots and build a life together with family and friends and backyard BBQ’s. Congratulations! Now, your homebuilder asks you to come to their design center to ‘make your selections.’ It sounds like a simple thing to do, […]
Time For Some Real Estate Myth-Busting 101
“I have a friend who’s a real estate agent, and they told me you should ALWAYS _______. ” Go ahead. Fill in the blank. We’ve all heard plenty of ‘facts’ about what to do, or not do, when it comes to buying and selling real estate. Some are very true, some not so much – […]
Renting Really Is Twice As Expensive As Buying
The stats are really quite simple. On average, homebuyers with median income who purchase the typical home spend 15.3% of their income on their monthly house payment. In contrast, renters spend 29.9% of their monthly income on rent. (Data source: Zillow, 12/9/14 article.) Those are pretty impressive numbers, or make that ‘distressing’ if you’re renting. […]
Best Kept Secrets for Buying a Home
Many people are nervous, anxious and distracted when looking to buy a home. What location? What is our budget? What if we buy the wrong one? Research and asking questions will kick start your process, along with these seven secrets for buying your next house… 1. When you are looking to buy your next home, […]