Tagged : real estate tips

Found 58 blog entries tagged as "real estate tips".

After acquiring a mortgage offer from your financial institution, spending an extended period of time searching for a house, working through piles of paperwork, and finally putting in an offer, you’re about to close on your first home! Congratulations. This is a huge milestone. You (and your real estate agent) have worked hard to get here.

You have only one remaining hurdle to clear: the closing process. While this step does not require strategy or out-of-the-box thinking, it can feel tedious, if not complex, for first-time buyers. Fear not, though—your real estate agent will guide you through precisely what you need to close on a house.

Speak with your agent about when you should plan to move. It is common for closing to take one to two months

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Purchasing your second home will bring different challenges than your decision to buy your first, and they are each worthy of careful consideration. Today, we are sharing our view on a question we are frequently asked: “What should we plan to do with our first home if we are buying a second? Should we rent it out? Sell it? Hand it over to a property management company?”

Before you can settle on the answer that is best for your unique situation, you will have to weigh your current financial situation, your capacity to take on added mental and emotional strain, and how holding on to two properties will affect your long-term goals. While selling one home and buying another can be a lot to juggle at once, deciding to rent out your first home is

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If you're exploring the world of mortgages, you might have come across the term "co-signing" at some point. But what does it really mean, and how does it work? As your local mortgage pro, let Steadfast Mortgage guide you through the ins and outs of co-signing on a mortgage.

So, what exactly is a co-signer? Essentially, a co-signer is someone who is willing to vouch for your mortgage application by using their financial credentials. They step in to help you qualify for the loan or secure a better interest rate. However, by co-signing, they're also agreeing to shoulder the responsibility of repaying the loan if, for any reason, you're unable to meet your obligations.

What's the difference between a co-signer and a co-borrower?

While both

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When you are selling your home, you want to take full advantage of the market. No matter your home’s location, size, or age, it will bring in significantly more if you are able to optimize its condition before you list it for sale. However, if you are preparing to sell your home and you have realized that it needs extra TLC before it is market ready, today’s guide is for you.

The worst-case scenario for your property is it languishing on the market for months after you list it, only drawing in a smattering of lowball offers. To avoid this disheartening dynamic, rectify the following before listing:

Clutter

You are no doubt used to your belongings being comfortably strewn throughout your home. Sellers, though, will expect your home’s

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Owning a home is a significant milestone, but the path to homeownership often comes with its fair share of hurdles. One of the most substantial financial challenges is navigating the closing costs associated with buying a home.

While these costs are inevitable, there are savvy strategies to minimize the financial impact and make your dream home more affordable.

Let's explore some ways to potentially reduce closing costs and make the home-buying process a smoother journey.

Shop Around for Third-Party Services:

Lenders often have preferred sources for closing services, but you have the flexibility to explore alternatives. Check section C of page 2 of your good faith loan estimate for listed services and consider opting for companies not on

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Millennials will be 28 - 43 years old in 2024, and despite the significant economic changes their generation has faced, more than half of them are now homeowners. Still more Millennials are projected to follow this pattern of success this year, so it’s little wonder that sellers who are Gen Xers or Boomers want to market properties to this younger generation. 

If you have placed your home on the market with the intention of targeting buyers aged 28 - 43 only to encounter crickets instead of an avalanche of offers, you have to be wondering why Millennial buyers aren’t interested in your home. Most importantly, what can you change to draw in this key demographic?

Decide on One Slice of Millennial Buyers 

You aren’t going to be able to draw in

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Are you a homeowner who plans to purchase your second home in 2024? If so, you will be applying for a mortgage under different circumstances than those under which you bought your first home. Securing a loan for a second home is more complicated, more difficult, and even includes two separate sets of rules - one for vacation homes and another for investment properties. 

Let’s examine these two types of homes, the rules that govern them, and the pros and cons of each approach when it comes to your finances. 

What Qualifies as a Vacation Home?

Your primary residence is where you’ll spend most of your time, of course, but you are permitted to have one or more vacation homes as well, or even a residence that you use as your office. Either way,

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HGTV’s “Love it or List It” showcases an all-too-familiar conundrum for homeowners throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond. If you’ve seen the show, you know featured guests ask for help deciding whether to remodel and relist or remodel and stay put in their refreshed home. 

As much as you may feel like this show could feature you and your current predicament, the reality is that very few Americans have enough expendable cash, a team of professionals, and a hotel voucher to cover our time away from home. Still, you have a decision to make: should you stay, or should you go? 

Let’s break down the factors that are most likely to help you determine the answer to this question. 

You Should Stay If:

You Have Poor Credit

Life can throw up

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While a professional home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process, there are some warning signs you can spot even before that inspection. During your home tour, keep an eye out for these atypical "red flags." They could indicate underlying issues that might not be immediately evident. Here are seven of them:

Unusual Odors

Pay attention to any strange or persistent odors in the home. Unpleasant smells could be a sign of hidden problems such as mold, mildew, pest infestations, or issues with the plumbing or sewage system.

Patchy or Mismatched Repairs

Be cautious of walls or ceilings with uneven patches, inconsistent paint jobs, or areas that look recently repaired. These could indicate past damage or ongoing issues that

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So, you've got a home --that cozy nest where you can rest, relax, and create memories. But did you know your house can do more than just be a roof over your head?

Whether you're a prospective homebuyer or a current homeowner, there are creative ways to turn your property into a money-making machine beyond building equity or renting it out to travelers. Let's explore some exciting options.

Store and Earn

Got a garage or storage space you're not using to its full potential? Rent it out! People are always on the lookout for extra storage. Search for neighborhood storage online to help you connect with renters. Your unused space could turn into a monthly paycheck.

The Host With the Most

If you have a large and attractive outdoor area,

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