01
Jun
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

Where Buyers Tend To Compromise When Buying A Home

If you are in the market for a home, it is important for you to think about what is most critical to your housing search. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you will probably have to compromise somewhere to make a competitive offer on a house you can afford. Every buyer is different, but there are a few common themes regarding where buyers tend to compromise when looking for a house.  The Condition Of The Home One area where buyers tend to compromise is the condition of the house. Most buyers would prefer to purchase a new house that is…
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26
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

The Top Trends For The Backyard This Spring

With the weather beginning to warm up outside, a lot of people are looking forward to spending more time outdoors. If your grass is beginning to grow and turn green again, you might be thinking about hosting a party with your family members and friends. What are a few trends you should consider embracing this spring? Container Gardens A lot of people are looking for ways to introduce nature into their homes. Even though you can certainly put a few more flowers and plants inside, you might want to consider container gardens outside. You might be able to grow your…
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25
May
By Lori Blank
Home Selling Tips

3 DIY Kitchen Upgrades That Will Boost Your Home Selling Price With Just A Few Hours Work

Homeowners who want to increase the appeal of their residence before putting it up for sale can, within a few hours and with a little elbow grease, perform some do-it-yourself (DIY) kitchen upgrades that are sure to pique the interest of would-be buyers. Many people either have or are in the process of listing their home, so it makes sense to do as much as possible to attract the interest of prospective purchasers. It need not cost a proverbial arm and a leg to boost the selling price of a home. Here are three DIY kitchen upgrades that will help…
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11
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

Offering Asking Price: Is This Offer Competitive In The Current Market?

The current real estate market is incredibly competitive, and a lot of potential homeowners are wondering how they can separate themselves from the crowd. In the past, many people would think about how much under the asking price they could offer and still get the house. Now, it appears that the market has flipped. It is not unusual for a seller to have dozens of offers on the first day, so what do potential buyers need to do to be competitive? Houses Are Selling Quickly The current market is highly abnormal. According to statistics that have been published, the average…
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10
May
By Lori Blank
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…
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06
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

A Guide To Investing In Real Estate Rentals

If you are thinking about purchasing an investment property, you probably understand this is a great way to diversify your investments. On the other hand, you also need to understand how to evaluate potential rental properties and how to make sure you can generate enough income to cover the overhead expenses related to the property. What do you need to know? Pay Down Personal Debt First Before you decide to take on a second mortgage, you need to pay down as much of your existing debt as possible. If you have unpaid medical bills, student loans, and car loans, you…
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05
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio: What It Means

If you are looking for a home, you might need to finance it using a lender, such as a bank or a credit union. There are a number of factors that will influence whether your mortgage application is approved. Then, these same factors will play a role in the terms the lender might offer you. One of the most important factors is called the debt to income ratio, or DTI. It is important to understand how this will impact your mortgage application. What Is A Debt To Income Ratio? Your DTI is important to the lender because this allows the…
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29
Apr
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

Sale Pending: What Does This Mean?

The search for a house can be stressful and filled with lots of jargon that can make it difficult for someone new to the real estate world to figure out what is going on. One of the most common terms that people might see on the MLS is "sale pending." What does this mean, and how should people interpret this? An Overview Of Sale Pending If a listing says that it is "sale pending," it means that the buyer and the seller are under contract. While the deal is not yet set in stone, it means that the seller has…
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20
Apr
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

Many Millennials Need More Space

There are many Millennials who are looking for a home, and many of them are getting ready to trade up for more space. If you think you need more space, you may have more buying power than you realize. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a lot of changes, and you might be able to use the equity in your home to purchase a bigger house with more features. Why Millennials Are Looking For Bigger Homes There are a few reasons why many Millennials are looking for bigger homes. First, the coronavirus pandemic forced many people to work from home.…
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14
Apr
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

There Are Several Great Reasons To Consider Buying A Condo Today

Many would-be homebuyers are now considering buying a condominium instead. Condominiums may be a good option for first-time buyers who are experiencing obstacles when searching for properties that meet their budgets and other criteria. Here’s why: Condos Might Offer More Budget-Friendly Options In today's housing market, supply constraints are a fact of life. Including condominiums in a home search might expand the pool of alternatives. Remember, condos are often less expensive because they have less room—the owner won't have their own garden, for example—and the overall square footage is typically less than that of a single-family house. Still, if budget is the obstacle, condos could be…
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