Posts from March 2022
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Does Your Credit Score Rank a 5-Star Approval
- (850) 543-8965
Does Your Credit Score Rank a 5-Star Approval
Improve your chances of being approved for a mortgage
When you are buying a home, your credit score is an important part in the overall process. Most home buyers will need a mortgage loan to complete their purchase. If your credit score has taken a few hits, it may be hard to get a loan with the terms you want. Here are five tips on how to boost your credit score as you begin your house hunt.
- Know What Your Credit Score Is and Why
Before you begin, pay to have your credit score and history pulled from the major credit bureaus. While you can get a free credit history once per year, you do need to pay a small fee to...
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6 Ways to Spot the Next Hot Neighborhood
6 Ways to Spot the Next Hot Neighborhood
Do you dream of living in one of the area's hottest neighborhoods, but find that all the homes are out of your price range? If you want to live in a trendy area, but also want to get the most out of your real-estate-dollar, the trick is to buy an inexpensive home in a neighborhood that's destined to be the next new hotspot.
Cities and urban areas across the country are going through a revitalization, also known as gentrification. Formerly run-down, lower-income regions are experiencing an influx of affluent residents, causing the neighborhoods to become desirable and home prices to rise. This trend is growing year-over-year as buyers have been placing more value on locations close to city centers and near their places of employment.
Up-and-coming neighborhoods tend...
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Closing On A Home? Make Sure You Do These Things First
Closing On A Home? Make Sure You Do These Things First
Closing on a home is an exciting time. It's the end of one long journey and the start of a new adventure.
It's not fun to think about, but a transaction can run into trouble until the very moment closing is done. There are important steps you can take before closing to keep unusual, but serious, complications from developing at the last minute. Your real estate agent is sure to help you stay on track, but you'll be even more prepared with a little research — exactly what you're doing right now.
Here are the key steps to take care of before closing:
- Ensure the Home Has Been Inspected
Contingencies are things the buyers must do before the transaction is final. The most common of these is the home inspection contingency
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Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
Before you hire a professional home inspector, there are certain things that you can look for while your tour a home.
Not only is this going to give you a better idea of what needs to be fixed in the house, but it also gives you the opportunity to ask a professional home inspector what you'd like them to pay special attention to.
- The Foundation
When looking at the foundation, you shouldn't only be looking at the outside of the home, but the interior also. Look at the base of all the walls in every room as well as the ceilings. You will be looking for obvious cracks and shifts in the foundation. Also, note whether there are any trees around the close vicinity of the property. - The Roof
You will also want to ask questions about the roof. What is it made out of?...
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Finding a Home Loan Right for You
Finding a Home Loan Right for You
Whether you're buying a home for the first time or have navigated the process before, choosing the right home loan is key to long-term financial happiness with your next home. The number of loan options available can feel daunting to sort through, but the good news is there's a loan available to suit the needs of nearly every buyer. The trick is finding the right one for you. Get started with our guide to some of the most common types of home loans and how they might fit your needs.
- Conventional Mortgages
Conventional mortgages rank among the most commonly used loans, and there are two types available. Conforming mortgages are backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, with maximum loan limits set by the county. Borrowing with a conforming, conventional mortgage will allow you to make a lower down paymen...
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