In June, the number of first-time homebuyers accounted for 35% of the existing homes sold, a trend that’s been building steadily throughout the year. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “The share of first-time buyers increased in March through June—right into the heart of the pandemic period and the surge in unemployment—and is now trending …
Guidance and Support Are Key When Buying Your First Home Read More »
The HUD sponsors the Good Neighbor Next Door program to help police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and elementary school teachers buy a house. Homes that HUD has acquired through FHA foreclosures in designated Revitalization Areas are available to public servants at 50 percent off list price. There are debt-to-income ratio guidelines, but there is …
Public Servants Get 50% Off The Purchase Of Their Home Read More »
For empty nesters and others, moving into a smaller space can mean less maintenance and a welcome bump in discretionary income. But what to keep and what to toss can be a difficult, and sometimes painful, decision. The editors at after55.com offer 10 good tips for making the move without losing your mind: Don’t do …
Buying your first home can be one of the happiest moments of your life, but too often people let the joy interfere with their rational thinking and make mistakes that can quickly change the mood to one of frustration. Here are five mistakes new homeowners often make in their first year: 1. Hiring the wrong …
While more buyers now use the Internet to gain access to listings, or available properties for sale, it is still a good idea to use an agent. Real estate professionals bring value to the entire process: he or she is available to analyze data, answer questions, share their professional expertise and handle all the paperwork …
Expert Insights: Why Do I Need an Agent If I Can Find a Home by Myself on the Internet? Read More »
A minor kitchen remodel such as changing hardware, resurfacing cabinets and other minor improvements can earn a return on investment of 83 percent, according to the 2016 Cost vs Value Report by Remodeling Magazine. An 83 percent return means that for every $100 spent on improvements, the home’s value increases by $83, on average. That won’t pay …
Kitchen Problems to Look for before Buying a Fixer-Upper Read More »
Financially, there’s more to buying a home than the purchase price—sometimes much more. After the down payment, and once your closing costs and monthly mortgage payments are added up, it can be easy to forget some of the costly and hidden costs of owning a home. Take these added charges into consideration: Property Taxes Property …
A fenced-in yard. Double sinks. A wrap-around porch. An open floor plan. Solar panels. There are just so many things we want our new home to have. However, when shopping for our dream home, it’s essential to steer the dream a little bit more toward reality. No home will have every single feature you desire, so before …
