Closing Day 101
If You Can Afford to Buy a Home, Why Are You Still Renting?
Staying in a rental has its benefits, but you should decide if they outweigh the pros of owning a home? More Americans than ever are renting instead of owning a home. About 37 percent of housing units in the U.S. are occupied by renters, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey, and…
A Homebuyer’s Guide to Federal Policy on Mortgage Lending
Buying a home can get intense, and you can easily feel intimidated by the lending process and closing requirements. Federal policies affecting mortgage lending has seen many changes in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis that began in 2007, putting a stronger focus on eliminating predatory lending and increasing transparency for the borrower. Hearing…
Know a Realtor Who’s Ready to Make a Move UP?
Do you know any seasoned, ambitious Realtors who like to work independently, have their own client base, and who would benefit from one of the BEST COMMISSION SPLITS in Polk County, Tampa, Davenport/Kissimmee and Orlando? Want a new beautiful, downtown Winter Haven office to hang your license? Come join the Baron Holdings family! No desk…
6 Smart Home Features That Have Caught On, and a Few That Will Soon
Most homeowners have yet to embrace smart homes, but the newest wave of devices could change that While there is a lot of talk about smart homes, few of those high-tech features are actually being incorporated into today’s homes. We are not yet living in the land of “The Jetsons.” But homeowners are moving toward…
How to Save Enough for a Down Payment
For most first-time homebuyers, securing a down payment is the biggest hurdle. There comes a point for many first-time homebuyers when nearly everything you do becomes focused on saving for that purchase. Even when you’ve been putting money away regularly for years, you find yourself willing to cut out that beach vacation you had been…
Can You Actually Turn a Profit Flipping Homes in Today’s Market?
Back in 2012, house flipping seemed like the perfect opportunity for a person with extra cash and an eye for remodeling. The market was flush with homes left vacant from waves of foreclosures prompted by the housing bubble that burst a few years earlier. You could buy a home from a bank, make any necessary…
Sales of new homes race to nearly a 9-year high
-Reuters 24 August 2016 New U.S. single-family home sales unexpectedly rose in July, reaching their highest level in nearly nine years as demand increased broadly, brightening the housing market outlook. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday new home sales surged 12.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000 units last month, the highest…
Before you buy….
Before you buy a home – 1. Understand how much you can afford by determining your debt-to-income ratio and estimated payments (visit bankrate.com and tick “calculators” for an idea). Your first step should be to GET PRE-APPROVED by your mortgage lender or bank. 2. Understand the basics of financing and what you really can afford….
A Parent’s Guide to Selling Your Home
Tips for putting your home on the market with young children. The idea of selling your home can be quite daunting. Add to the equation a young child and the task may seem impossible. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case. Through careful planning, decluttering, and creating easy upkeep, the hassles of selling your…