Central Florida
We all know the old line about location. But buying a home takes research, research, research, too. You will want to determine: How much you can comfortably afford. The pre-approval process, which entails full documentation and credit check, is the best way to determine the numbers that are right for you. Early in your search,…
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…
Don’t do these things or you might have your broker on the run before you can say ‘open house.’ By Devon Thorsby Real estate agents see and hear a lot, and while there are shockingly few things that surprise them, there’s a fine line between need-to-know and TMI. But the more transparent a client is during the…
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…
How to get the right information in an inspection and use it in negotiations for your home purchase. Throughout the homebuying process, you will encounter a number of expenses including, but certainly not limited to, an appraisal, transaction fees and a survey – but none is more important than the home inspection. Dollar for dollar,…
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….
Consider carry costs, equity and other factors before converting your home into a rental. When your circumstances change, such as starting a new job, having a baby or providing caregiving for an older relative, your current home may no longer fit your needs. Some homeowners may choose to sell or renovate their homes to cater…
Owning a home is a keystone of wealth… both financial affluence and emotional security.