Posts made by author 'Sonia Taska'
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Agent, Broker, Realtor: Do You Know The Difference?
Agent, Broker, Realtor: Do You Know The Difference?
If you're a first-time homebuyer or relatively new to real estate, understanding all the different service providers related to a transaction can be confusing. Consumers often ask about the differences between a real estate agent, a realtor, and a broker. While they all play a similar role, it can be helpful to know the differences, especially when seeking a professional to represent you during the home buying process. Below, we'll clear up any confusion about these similar but distinct roles and discuss how each can help you on your journey to becoming a new homeowner.
What Is A Real Estate Agent?
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who helps to support consumers and businesses through real estate transactions. The qualifications to become a real estate agent vary from state to state. However, g...
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What To Do If Your Dream Home Fails Inspection
What To Do If Your Dream Home Fails Inspection
As a buyer, it's easy to become emotionally invested in a home, especially when you find one that meets all of your criteria. However, it's so important to ensure your offer includes a home inspection contingency and to keep your emotions in check until the home inspection report comes back. A home may seem like a dream come true on the surface, but the home inspection report may transform it into a nightmare.
A home inspection usually takes place within the first 10 days under contract. The report will usually outline minor defects to major structural issues and everything in between. If there are serious issues such as foundation damage, roof damage, or mold in the basement, you'll likely need to negotiate with the seller on how to remediate the issues. If your dream home fails the home inspection, that doesn't necessarily mean al...
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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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