As the real estate market becomes increasingly competitive and consumer confidence rises, buyers and sellers are more motivated to seek opportunities to close deals efficiently. Thats why real estate professionals often suggest a pre-listing home inspection -- an inspection prior to putting the home on the market. Pre-listing inspections provide an added benefit for the buyer, ...
Full Story >Just back from an extended tour of the South Pacific, I am ready to move to almost everywhere I visited.Travel inspiration may mark the start of a new exhilarating life adventure, but if you jump before you think, paradise may be anything but.As a quick reality check, consider our Five ldquo;Is Grass Greener?rdquo;nbsp;Challenges for Bringing Paradise into Achievable Focus:1. F...
Full Story >This year, wersquo;re concentrating on the DIY aspect of summer energy savings, so not only can you save a few bucks on an ongoing basis, but keep your cost low initially, as well. Here are 5 low-cost, high-impact changes you can make now.Practice good window covering managementSeems easy enough, right? You can make a big difference in the amount of hot air getting into your ho...
Full Story >Your first stop is talking with your loan officer to find out which loan program best suits your needs and qualifications. For instance, if yoursquo;re eligible for a VA loan and you want to come to the closing table with as little cash as possible, the VA loan is likely your best choice. Therersquo;s no down payment required for a VA loan although you can make one if you want ...
Full Story >Knowing your options for residential roofing materials before repairs are needed also allows you to decide on the best choice for your home and then plan and budget for that new residential roof Check out whatrsquo;s new in residential roofing >Slate RoofingSlate roofing is valued for its durability and >Slate roofs are also very attractive, with a natural look that enhances a ...
Full Story >The new program, from Quicken Loans, uses ldquo;rental income earned through VRBO to be used to qualify for a mortgage refinance,rdquo; the lender said in a news >Typically, investment property income can help a borrowerrsquo;s debt-to-income ratio, but being able to show income from short-term rentals is a sign of the times. "Vrbo helps homeowners use one of their biggest asse...
Full Story >But just how do those two contingents break down? The National Association of Realtors NAR 2019 Profile of Home Staging provides some insight. The study separated the study into three categories: Buyersrsquo; Agent Perspective, Sellersrsquo; Agent Perspective, and Buyer Expectations. Wersquo;re taking a closer look at the key points.Home Staging: Buyersrsquo; Agent PerspectiveA...
Full Story >Lenders must also determine affordability. When issuing a preapproval letter, itrsquo;s typically after the borrower and the loan officer have had a conversation about monthly payments, down payments and closing costs. This prequalification is the result of a general conversation between the two regarding current credit status, employment, assets and other items. When these ite...
Full Story >Developers, home owners, and businesses alike all have a vested interest in purchasing the best properties within their budgets. Especially true in older communities and cities, a variety of high-quality buildings and homes can be found, many of which use more solid building >Youve probably heard the phrase ldquo;this home has good bones.rdquo; Particularly important when renov...
Full Story >What the Heck is a Sellers Market?There are no better words in the English dictionary that can make a home owner do their infamous happy dance than these four little words: ldquo;itrsquo;s a sellerrsquo;s marketrdquo;.Sohellip;.you askhellip;.how do you know if it really is a sellerrsquo;s market and what exactly does that mean?Irsquo;m going to bring you back to ECON 101 for a...
Full Story >Saving up for a down payment is probably the biggest challenge, especially for first time home buyers, but closing costs also need to be addressed. Here are three ways buyers can reduce or eliminate these costs.The first way is to have your lender quote you an interest rate that provides a lender credit toward your closing costs. When your lender quotes rates and fees to you, y...
Full Story >ReuseBefore you start buying new furniture, bedding, and fixtures that will quickly eat through your budget, start by taking an inventory of what you already have. Think about ways that things can be reused. Simple furniture pieces can be painted or even just have the hardware changed out that will change the way a piece looks.Many types of furniture can serve a different purpo...
Full Story >Wersquo;re talking about those who show up at your door unannounced with an offer to check out your roof or repair/replace it for a price that seems too good to be true, and then run off with your money without fixing anythingmdash;or doing a shoddy job.ldquo;Some of the most unbelievable home improvement rip-offs come from scam-artists disguised as roofers,rdquo; said Mosby Bu...
Full Story >An energy audit of your home is often the best option for evaluating your homersquo;s insulation and the efficiency of your major appliances, and your local utility companies can often arrange such an audit for you. However, note some vital information about new thermal windows and other energy-saving features in the home so that you can make the best decision for your house an...
Full Story >Migration to Austin has skyrocketed over the last decade; according to MagnifyMoney, ldquo;60 of the cityrsquo;s current residents moved here since 2010.rdquo; That increase in population has put pressure on housing, resulting in diminishing inventory and skyrocketing home prices. Yet, still they come. At a rate of nearly 150 people per daySo what makes Austin so ideal? Wersquo...
Full Story >nbsp;
Mr. Clean Magic ErasersDirty baseboards. Scuff marks on sneakers. Crayon or pen on painted walls. Shower scum. What do they all have in common? They can be cleaned with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Theyrsquo;re good in a pinch and also as a regular addition to your cleaning regime, so do like we do and buy them in bulkDryer SheetsThe sheet that keeps static cling away from your cl...
Full Story >Canadian real estate markets have generally cooled down during the last year, but there are always popular neighborhoods where bidding wars between buyers end up frustrating potential homeowners.Recently the Ontario Real Estate Association OREA called on the provincial government to outlaw the practice of ldquo;bully offersrdquo;, also known as ldquo;pre-emptive offersrdquo; on...
Full Story >
Copyright ©2019 - Realty
Times®
All Rights Reserved.