5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Floor Plan
When it comes to designing a home, one of the most important decisions to make is choosing the perfect floor plan for your lifestyle. Not only does the floor plan layout affect the function and flow of your home, but it also impacts the overall flow of your daily tasks. With so many factors to […]
Should You Consider Universal Design Features for Your New Home?
Even though average home tenure for American families is still less than 10 years, many of our clients have think much further afield, considering what features might be required to “age in place,” or to care for family members with specific needs. Impaired mobility and low vision – along with an increased risk of falls […]
10 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs
1. Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower. 2. Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company. You’ll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price. 3. Make your home less susceptible […]
The Pros and Cons of Condos
Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in most areas. But consider these facts before you buy. 1. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings. 2. Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to […]
5 Things to Understand About Title Insurance
1. It protects your ownership right to your home both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such as mistakes in the spelling of a person’s name or an inaccurate description of the property. 2. It’s a one-time cost usually based on the price of the property. 3. It’s […]
10 Things a Lender Needs From You
1. W-2 forms or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan. 2. Copies of one or more months of pay stubs from every person signing the loan. 3. Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both […]
Tips on How to Price Your Home
*Consider comparables. What have other homes in your neighborhood sold for recently? How do they compare to yours in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities? *Consider competition. How many other houses are for sale in your area? Are you competing against new homes? *Consider your contingencies. Do you have special concerns that would affect the […]
Does Moving Up Make Sense?
Answer these questions to help you decide whether moving up makes sense. 1. How much equity do you have in your home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of paying a mortgage, but if you’ve owned […]
Choices That Will Affect Your Loan
Mortgage term. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. The longer the term, the lower the monthly payment if the same amount is borrowed. However, you pay more interest overall if you borrow for a longer term. Fixed or adjustable interest rates. A fixed-rate allows you to lock in a low rate […]
6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home
If your income and savings are making homebuying a challenge, consider these options. 1. Investigate local, state, and national downpayment assistance programs. These programs give loans or grants to cover all or part of your required downpayment. National programs include the Nehemiah program (http://www.getdownpayment.com) and the American Dream Downpayment Fund from the U.S. Department of […]