Real Estate Archives - Page 31 of 35 - Lori Blank & Associates

02

Nov

Real Estate

A 20 Percent Down Payment: Is This Really Necessary?

Purchasing a home is a major decision, and it could be the most expensive financial transaction somebody ever makes. Therefore, it is important to get this right. One of the biggest hurdles for a new homeowner is coming up with enough money for the down payment. A lot of people believe they require 20 percent down to purchase a home. Saving this amount of money can be overwhelming, and some people are wondering, is this really necessary? There are several key points to keep in mind. Putting 20 Percent Down Is Not Really Necessary When taking a look at the…

28

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

After Closing On A New Home: The Top Tasks To Complete

Closing on a new home is exciting and many people view their closing date as the finish line; however, even after closing a new home, there is still a lot that has to happen. What do new homeowners need to do after closing on a new home? Mark The Date Of The First Payment Every homeowner needs to know the first date of the new mortgage payment. They need to get their bank account set up for an automatic draft, or they need to send a physical check by that time. Keep in mind that the first payment might include…

27

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Is An Escrow Account Right For You?

When someone is looking at purchasing a home, they usually focus on the purchase price of the home and the potential monthly payment. At the same time, there are other costs that need to be included as well. This includes home insurance and real estate taxes. As a result, many homeowners find themselves asking if they should use an escrow account or not. What do homeowners need to think about and how can they make the right decision? What Is An Escrow Account? First, it is important to define an escrow account. An escrow account is an account that contains…

21

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Dealing With Stress Related To A Home Sale

Putting a house on the market can be a major life decision. Even though there might be a bit of a change during this time, there are ways to deal with the stress. Even though home showings, negotiations, and constant phone calls from real estate agents can be a lot to handle, there are a few tips for dealing with the stress. What do homeowners need to know if they are selling a home? Choose The Right Real Estate Agent First, homeowners must make sure they choose the right real estate agent. Think about the goals during the home sale.…

20

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Important Relationships During The Home Buying Process

Purchasing a home is an exciting time, but there is also a lot to manage. There are a lot of text messages, phone calls, and emails coming in. It is important for potential homeowners to keep them straight. Who are some of the most important people during the purchase process? The Real Estate Team First, there are going to be a lot of important people on the real estate side of this transaction. Every home buyer should work with a real estate agent who can help them assess the market, arrange showings, and find the right home. There might also…

19

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Taking A Look At The Current Real Estate Market

The law of supply and demand governs every area of the economy. The law is relatively straightforward. If there is more demand than there is supply, prices should be expected to rise. If there is more supply than there is demand, prices should be expected to fall. The same is true with houses, which have been rising quickly in price during the past year. Why is this the case, and what does this mean for the future? Housing Prices Are Going Up It should come as no surprise that houses are going up quickly. The biggest reason why the prices…

06

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Getting Your Mortgage Application Approved As A Self-Employed, First-Time Homebuyer

A significant number of people are self-employed, which means they might be relying on this income to apply for a mortgage. It is true that people who are self-employed may face additional challenges when trying to get approved for a home loan when compared to someone with traditional W2 income, these are obstacles that can be overcome. With the right qualifications and documentation, even first-time homebuyers who are self-employed should be able to qualify for the home loan they need. Lenders Assess Someone’s Ability To Repay The Loan First, lenders are trying to make sure the person will repay the…

23

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

National Association of REALTORS Existing Home Sales Exceed Projections

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales surpassed both May sales and expectations for June. Sales of previously owned homes increased by 2.60 percent in June and reached a seasonally adjusted annual level of 5.04 million sales. June's reading was the third consecutive monthly increase in sales of existing homes and was the highest reading for existing home sales in eight months. Existing home sales remain 2.30 percent below the June 2013 reading of 5.16 million sales of existing homes. Analysts projected sales of 5 million existing homes for June against May's initial reading of 4.89 million…

25

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Buying Tips

Getting Past No: What To Do If You’re Turned Down For A Mortgage Or Other Home Financing

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan is an integral part of having the ability to purchase a home in today's society. With most home prices well above what the majority of us have in the bank, getting approved for a mortgage can be the deal maker or breaker when it comes to purchasing a piece of property. Therefore, getting rejected for a mortgage can feel like a huge loss. The first thing to realize, however, is that there are action steps you can take to get to "yes." Here's what to do if you're turned down for a mortgage or…

18

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

4 Tips To Lower Homeowners Insurance For Your Home

With the prices for everything skyrocketing these days, every penny counts. This includes your homeowner's insurance costs. If you're thinking of buying a home and need homeowner's insurance, here are a few tips on getting quality insurance for a fair price: Tip #1: Shop Around Ask family and friends about their homeowner's insurance. Check the Yellow Pages, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the state insurance department. Other places to shop for insurance include consumer guides, insurance agents and online insurance quote services. Don't just look for lower prices, however. You need a fair price for the services…