Real Estate Tips

10

May

Real Estate Tips

The Pros and Cons of ‘Mortgage Before Marriage’ for Young Couples

There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a…

05

Apr

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The Top Ways To Use Home Equity

Equity is a powerful tool. As homeowners pay off the mortgage, the amount of equity in the house grows. As the house appreciates in value, homeowners accrue even more equity. Then, homeowners can tap into this equity for a variety of purposes. What are a few of the ways homeowners might be able to use this equity? Purchase A New House One of the top ways homeowners can use the equity in their existing home is to purchase a house that better suits their needs. Even though homeowners may find a house that is right for them now, it might…

02

Feb

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

7 Quick And Inexpensive Ways You Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

We have all heard the saying, "You never get a second chance for a first impression?" If you are selling your home, it is important to appreciate the significance a first impression has on your potential buyer. When buyers drive up to your property and take their first look at your home, they will instantly be forming ideas about your house and how it might fit for their family. When you are trying to entice a buyer to make an offer on your house, you must consider the curb appeal - how your house looks from the outside, or while…

22

Dec

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Buying or Selling a Home This Winter? Keep These Tax Tips in Mind!

With all of the expense that can go into buying and selling a home, it's good to be aware of what you can claim and how a home can benefit you come tax time. When the New Year rolls around and you're sitting down to the task of completing your taxes, here are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind. Gaining from Capital Gains In the event that you've made money off the sale of your home through a capital gain, it's possible that you may be able to exclude this amount from your tax filing. If…

08

Dec

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Qualifying For A Mortgage Credit Certificate

Purchasing a house can be expensive, but there are measures in place to make it easier, particularly for people buying a home for the first time. One option is a mortgage credit certificate. What is the certificate, and how does it work? A Mortgage Certificate Is A Tax Credit A mortgage credit certificate, usually shortened to MCC, is a credit issued to first-time homebuyers by the local or state government. This certificate allows first-time homeowners to claim a federal tax credit for mortgage interest paid on the loan, with a limit of up to $2,000. When someone takes out a…

01

Dec

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Decluttering A Home Can Make A Major Impact

There are numerous homeowners who are looking for a way to make more space. Even a small decluttering project can make a significant difference to the amount of space available in a home. This can also make it easier for homeowners to find what they are looking for. Furthermore, if a home is going on the market in the near future, it needs to be as clean as possible. That way, prospective buyers can see the potential of a home. What are a few examples of decluttering projects that can make a significant difference? Clean Under The Kitchen Sink The…

30

Nov

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

What To Know About Property Values and Refinancing

There are many people who are thinking about refinancing their homes. For example, some people may be interested in reducing their monthly payments, while other people may be interested in tapping into the value of the home to fund a home improvement project. What is the relationship between property values and refinancing? There are several important points to keep in mind. Property Values Tend To Rise First, it is important for homeowners to understand that property values tend to rise during the life of a mortgage. For example, someone may purchase a home valued at $250,000. Then, fifteen years later,…

14

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The Top Ways To Add Storage To A Home

There are many homeowners who are looking for help with storage. Even after moving in, many homeowners still have a lot of items they need to get rid of and this is where built-in storage solutions can be helpful. Even though some storage options might be pricey, there are inexpensive options available as well. Take a look at a few solutions below, and improve the storage situation. Use Space Under the Stairs One option that many homeowners overlook is the space under the stairs. If there is a second story, there may be an area under the staircase that looks…

16

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The 7 Most Unaffordable Cities for Real Estate in the USA (And 3 Affordable Gems!)

As prices continue to rise across the board with everything from food to gas, it's no wonder that real estate prices are high in many cities across the USA. While this is the case for a large number of cities, there are also certain areas in which prices are decidedly low. Here's a small look at the most affordable and unaffordable cities within America. The Seven Most Unaffordable Cities Oakland, CA - Though Los Angeles and San Francisco are 2 California cities that may first come to mind, Oakland is also highly expensive when it comes to real estate, with…

11

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

How Much is Your Home Worth in Today’s Market? Three Key Tips for Assessing Value

If you're thinking about putting the house on the market, or are simply curious about its value in the current economic atmosphere, it's essential to get an honest assessment of its value. An overly inflated figure won't hold up and will only turn potential buyers away. It's best to get a fair assessment in order to ask a reasonable price or avoid over-extending oneself when it comes to taking out a home equity loan. Consider these three key tips to get a true assessment of a home's value. Identify Positive Features About The Home And Property When seeking an appraisal…