Category: News

With housing prices pushing the affordability envelope for many Americans, some individuals are considering buying a fixer-upper. We've all seen the home makeover shows with astonishing before and after transformations, but should you take on such a project? Here are a few things to consider: 1. Know Your Limits: Assess how much of the work you can handle yourself. Consider how much time you have available for renovations. Ask yourself if you're prepared to live in a construction zone for a while. 2. Work Out Costs In Advance: Invite a contractor to join the inspection and provide a written estimate for the proposed work. If you're planning on doing the work yourself, calculate the cost of supplies. In either case, add an extra 15% to the costs to account for…

With housing prices pushing the affordability envelope for many Americans, some individuals are considering buying a fixer-upper. We've all seen the home makeover shows with astonishing before and after transformations, but should you take on such a project? Here are a few things to consider: 1. Know Your Limits: Assess how much of the work you can handle yourself. Consider how much time you have available for renovations. Ask yourself if you're prepared to live in a construction zone for a while. 2. Work Out Costs In Advance: Invite a contractor to join the inspection and provide a written estimate for the proposed work. If you're planning on doing the work yourself, calculate the cost of supplies. In either case, add an extra 15% to the costs to account for…

The image of homebuyers often conjures up young couples, freshly married or new parents, looking for a nest to raise their family. However, senior citizens and retirees also have valid reasons for house-hunting. Even with today’s higher home prices and interest rates, seniors maybe in need of a mortgage for a variety of reasons, here are options for qualifying and loan options. Applying for a mortgage as a senior entails meeting the same financial criteria as other borrowers, such as credit history, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, income, and other assets. However, the documents required to qualify for a mortgage are slightly different for retirees. For instance, you'll have to provide forms to document income instead of pay stubs and W-2 forms. These might include Social Security award letters, retirement award letters,…

Navigating the home-buying journey with little to no credit history can seem daunting. However, FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, can be a lifesaver for prospective homebuyers with such financial constraints. Their flexible financial prerequisites make them an excellent alternative for those dealing with debt or other personal finance challenges. The FHA loan program's forgiving nature makes it easier to obtain than traditional loans, helping more people join the homeowner's club. However, an easier application process doesn't mean a less serious commitment; diligent preparation is crucial to sidestep common errors in home loan applications. If the appeal of less stringent requirements entices you, stick around as we delve into how to secure an FHA loan with low credit. Understanding FHA Loan Eligibility and Requirements for Low Credit The…

When it comes to the decision between buying or renting a home, in today’s market, we have to look at number of market and individual factors. With rapidly increasing housing prices and a significant inventory shortage, the thought of purchasing a home may seem daunting with the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development reported the median sales price of $436,800 for homes at the start of 2023. Buying a home brings with it a set of unique advantages. The possibility of building equity, the tax benefits, and the freedom to customize your living space are all compelling reasons to consider homeownership. However, these benefits are balanced by potential drawbacks such as variable monthly payments, maintenance responsibilities, decreased flexibility, and the risk of your home's…

For first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home is a huge financial commitment and in today's pricing environment its also a considerable financial challenge for many Americans. However, homebuyer grants can significantly lighten the financial load, grants aren't available to all home buyers and are usually aimed at lower income buyers. Understanding Grant Eligibility Requirements vary between programs, several common elements are worth noting: • Income limits: Many programs consider households that earn 80 percent or less of the area median income (AMI) as “low-income.” Therefore, access to these programs is restricted to those within this income range. Moreover, the income limits adjust depending on the number of household occupants. • Home price limits: Certain programs may restrict your spending to a specific range of residence prices. These limits are largely dependent…

Finding a skilled loan officer who is attuned to your needs and can assist you through the process is essential. Here are five questions you might want to ask your home mortgage lender. What are my home loan options? This question will help gauge the loan officer's expertise and understanding of your specific situation. You may need to share some personal financial information, but a credit check shouldn't be necessary at this stage. Could you explain the mortgage process? A competent loan officer should be able to outline the steps from application submission to loan approval. They should also provide insights into legal and real estate aspects or direct you to your real estate agent for further information. What do I need to provide for loan approval? Before submitting any…

Nationally, we have been in a seller’s market for quite some time, but there are signs that maybe changing. The seller’s market was fueled by tight inventory and high demand, and was punctuated with bidding wars and cash offers. A move towards a buyer’s market would mean that houses stay on the market longer and prices stabilize or even drop. Signs of a buyers market include, higher inventory, prices getting lowered, the aforementioned increase in days on market, as well as things like incentives offered by the seller such as help with closing costs or renovations. The old adage about everything in real estate being local means that some areas maybe in a buyer’s market while others not so much. And while it might not be a buyer’s market, it…

As home prices have risen dramatically the last few years (yes, they are starting to inch down now), many people find their dream house seemingly out of reach. Don’t despair, here are some tips to save a thousands on your home purchase and lower costs. Move Out Of Your Comfort Zone Ok maybe not your comfort zone, but expanding your search area can make a big difference. If you are priced out of your preferred neighborhood, try expanding your search to nearby areas where housing prices can be significantly lower. Credit Check? Check your credit score and see if there are any issues that need to be addressed. Since your credit score has a big impact on getting lower interest rates, if there are fixable issues it can make a…

As we continue to see low inventory in the housing market and high rent prices, many home owners are adding ADUs (which stands for Accessory Dwelling Units). ADUs often called granny flats, are guest houses or rooms added to garages to create rental income for home owners. Home owners typically add ADUs to increase cash flow, as well as looking for their property value to appreciate. Whether ADUs are right for you, depends on a number of factors. ADUs often costs at least $100,000 to build so being in a high rent market helps to offset the initial investment. You’ll also need to make sure local ordinances allow them and what the regulations are. The old real estate adage about location stays true for ADUs as well. If you are…