Buying a Home
Your Essential Guide to Budgeting for Home Ownership
Budgeting is a crucial first step when considering purchasing a home, as it lays the foundation for financial stability throughout the buying process and beyond. To determine how much you can afford, it’s essential to carefully assess your income, expenses, and savings, especially focusing on the down payment. Your income serves as the primary source…
Read MoreMaking the “Big Move” to be Close to Family: Is It the right Plan?
I have loved my real estate “career” for twenty years, but I do become sad. The hardest thing is saying goodbye to my clients/friends who move to a new area or state. I miss you guys! You know who you are! I get it! You need to be close to the family who need you…
Read MoreCreative Ideas for First-Time Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance
I purchased my first home in the late 1970s. It took me several years while working two jobs to save $2,000 for the down payment. I proudly bought my 900 square feet home for $22,000 with an 18% mortgage interest rate. Yes, that’s correct, an 18% interest rate. And I almost didn’t qualify because I…
Read MoreThings You Need to Know About Buying a Home
Buying a home can be a big decision, so here are some key things to keep in mind: 1. Budgeting: Determine how much you can afford by considering your income, expenses, and savings for a down payment. 2. Mortgage Options: Explore different types of mortgages (fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, etc.) and get pre-approved to know your borrowing…
Read MoreRADICAL Changes to the Real Estate Industry: Who Would Have Thought?
Recently there have been a few lawsuits that have questioned realtors’ practices regarding the seller paying both selling/buying commissions. So I thought it would be a good idea to address the highlights of the recent Sitzer/Burnett v. NAR lawsuit. Below is a statement by NAR from January 2024. “The question in the case of Sitzer/Burnett…
Read MoreBuying for Retirement? Consider this…
Think about your goals for real estate when you were first working or first entering the workplace. The decision to have a long-term relationship or to have children helped you move along a path in real estate. Fast forward 40- 50 years and your needs, expectations, and desires change. And let’s hear it for the…
Read MoreFirst-Time Home Buyers Pain—Be “Savvy”
As we begin the new year, I am thinking about our first-time home buyers and their potential “pain” in the real estate marketplace. The American dream has been—since the 1950s—to own a home. This dream is still strong in 2024, but we need to be financially “savvy.” Home prices are much higher, mortgage rates are…
Read More7 Characteristics You Should Look For In Your Realtor
Over the years I have received wonderful reviews from my clients. While helping them purchase their home, they’ve mentioned key points they looked for in a realtor and appreciated when they worked with me. Here are some of the characteristics you should look for in your realtor. Does your realtor… 1) Agree to discuss and…
Read MoreNew Home Tidbits from a Builders Panel for Realtors
I recently attended a luncheon with a panel of five builders who discussed upcoming trends for new homes. Their comments were so interesting that I decided to share their opinions with you. When asked about upcoming trends in new builds, they shared these thoughts:
Read MoreWhen Buying a Home, Consider your Lifestyle
When you decide to buy a house, it’s easy to keep your focus on the house itself. How many bedrooms? How big a garage? Open kitchen? Formal dining? Wood- burning fireplace? Trex deck? Once you’ve decided on these aspects of your future home, you head to your favorite search engine and start typing in parameters.…
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