Real Estate

04

Apr

Real Estate

What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Putting 20 Percent Down On A Home Purchase?

Several generations ago, lenders required home buyers to have a 20 percent down payment in order to get a mortgage. While there were a few options out there for people who couldn't save this substantial amount, the reality was that for the majority of people, the 20 percent down was a requirement. It was the way to show that you were financially responsible enough for homeownership. And it was a strong way that the banks felt secure in making a home loan. Today, however, homebuyers have many options available to them as they shop for a new home, and those…

31

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

Is A VA Loan The Best Option For Your Needs?

If you plan on buying a house in the near future, there are a few mortgage options available. One potential option is called a VA loan. This is a loan that has been backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and it could provide you with some added flexibility that you can use to purchase a house. Is a VA loan right for you? There are a few points to keep in mind. Who Qualifies For A VA Loan? First, not everyone is able to access a VA loan. This is a loan that is generally only available to active members of…

30

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

3 Critical Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale

You just found your perfect home, and you feel like everything is right including the price. But, what could be wrong with your ideal home? Maybe, it is being sold as a short sale, and that could present a major challenge if you want to become be the eventual homeowner. Short sales are different from other conventional real estate transactions since the property in question is usually listed at a price that is much lower than the amount of the outstanding mortgage debt. Unlike a regular sale, the homeowner must obtain permission from the lender before proceeding with the transaction.…

29

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

A Reverse Mortgage And A Home Equity Conversion: What To Know

If you are getting ready to retire, you need to make sure you have income to support yourself during your golden years. One popular option is a reverse mortgage, and you can use it to supplement the benefits you receive through Social Security. On the other hand, you may have also heard about a home equity conversion mortgage. What are the differences between them, and which one is right for you? A Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage is a popular option because you can tap into the equity you have in your home to receive funds from a specific lender.…

23

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

White Lies That Could Make It Harder To Buy A Home

Right now, the real estate market is very competitive, and you might be tempted to use a few white lies to make your offer seem more competitive. No matter how much you want to purchase a home, you need to make sure you are completely honest and open when you go through the process from start to finish. What or a few examples of common white lies that people tell that could jeopardize your application or your mortgage as a whole? Lying About Your Primary Residence If you plan on living in the house full-time, make sure you say so.…

21

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

An Overview Of A Wrap-Around Mortgage: What To Know

Are you having a difficult time qualifying for a traditional mortgage in the current market? If so, there are other options available, and a lack of financing can frustrate not only the buyer but the seller as well. For example, one option that you may have heard about is called a wrap-around mortgage. The entire goal of this mortgage is to help the buyer get financing to purchase the house while making sure the seller still turns a profit. What do you need to know about a wrap-around mortgage? What is A Wrap-Around Mortgage? A wrap-around mortgage is a specific…

17

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

How to Get Along With Your Homeowners Association

Rules and covenants of a homeowners association can be a bit overwhelming, especially for a first time homeowner. Understanding that the regulations are designed to protect the value of your home helps make some restrictions easier to live with. Homeowners Association CC&Rs, which stands for "covenants, conditions and restrictions," can be intimidating. But, with the growing number of communities and subdivisions that have existing HOAs, it's important to know what you're getting into before you buy a home. Associations Come In All Forms An association's goal is to maintain the ambience of the community and assure that home values are upheld.…

16

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

Manage These 3 Items Before Applying For A Mortgage

Mortgage lenders weigh the risk of getting their principal and interest paid back by looking at the qualities of the prospective borrower. And due to the amount of money being requested and lent to purchase homes, those requirements can become daunting. Working with a trusted and qualified mortgage professional makes this sometimes confusing process a little clearer. To this end, there are three things that a potential homebuyer can do to prepare for the mortgage approval process: Manage Debt And Credit Levels For many homebuyers, managing their credit score is the biggest challenge. Mortgage lenders like buyers with strong credit.…

15

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

Short-Term Vacation Rentals: What To Know

If you are interested in purchasing a rental property, you might want a short-term rental that you can use as a vacation home. This can be a great way to generate some additional income, and you might be able to make thousands of dollars every week if you purchase a property in the right location. On the other hand, there are several important factors you need to consider before you purchase a rental property. The Marketing Process You are only going to make money on your rental property if you can convince people to stay there. Why would someone decide…

14

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Real Estate

What To Know About Property Lines

If you are in the process of buying a new home, you know that there are a lot of moving parts involved. You need to know everything you can about a potential house before you decide to purchase it, and that includes the property lines. What do you need to know about property lines, and why are they so important? How Are Property Lines Drawn? While property lines are the borders that separate one property from another, they are also legal boundaries. Essentially, property lines determine what you do and do not own. There is a chance that someone may…