Buying a home for the first time can seem like a daunting process. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little preparation, and the guidance of a real estate agent and mortgage professional, you’ll be well on your way to making the house of your dreams…your home! This easy-to-follow infographic will show you what to expect along the path to home ownership:
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It is often said that buying a home is the most significant purchase you will make in your lifetime. It’s a major financial commitment and an important milestone, so you want to get it right. This means doing some homework and seeking professional guidance. A real estate agent can assist with your home search, but what about securing a loan? How do you find a mortgage professional you can trust to consider your best interests, help you select the right product, and guide you through each step of the home financing process? The following tips will help you conduct a thorough and efficient search for a lender you can rely on to help make your dreams of homeownership a reality!
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In a competitive housing market, bidding wars are a sign that competition is fierce among potential buyers. While competition can be good news for sellers, for those looking to buy, it may cause dilemmas once it’s time to submit an offer. In fact, a recent survey by Redfin found that competition is a top concern for buyers, second only to affordability. Buyers know they must put their very best offer on the table, with aggressive timelines and as few contingencies as possible. So, how does a buyer who is financing their purchase improve their chances of getting an offer accepted?
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Whether you’ve decided to sell your home, or buy one, aligning yourself with the right real estate professional can be an important first step.
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A recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out that real estate investors may be pushing young, first-time homebuyers out of the housing market. Low and mid-priced homes, which appeal to both first-time buyers and investors, are in tight supply. Investors are swooping in with all-cash offers only to turn around and rent out the properties. As rental rates skyrocket across the nation, investors stand to benefit while potential homebuyers are challenged by high rent that may prolong saving for a down payment. Is there a solution? Can buyers finance a home purchase and still put forth a strong enough offer to compete against all-cash? We asked Realtor® Dana Green to weigh in on how buyers can level the playing field.
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The concept of home is special to each of us in our own way, so shopping for a home can be emotional. Once you connect with a home that’s just right for you, emotions can run hot because that’s when you need to get the seller to accept your offer.
Read More “Can Your Home Purchase Financing Beat A Cash Offer?”
Most house hunters have a clear vision of their dream home. A gourmet kitchen. A yard for the kids. Lots of natural light. But how often is equal consideration given to the finer details of the location? How do you evaluate a neighborhood to determine if your dream home is truly in your dream location? Here are 5 ways to figure out if a neighborhood matches your lifestyle and investment goals.
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The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bipartisan bill known as the Mortgage Choice Act of 2015. The bill essentially reforms two existing regulations – Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Will the proposed changes benefit the consumer? Let’s break it down.
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For years, popular apps like Zillow and Redfin have been putting home buying tools in the palm of our hands – making the search for a new home easier with a few swipes of a finger. But recently, we’ve seen several new apps leading the charge in giving buyers the power to visualize their real estate options, and REALTORS® a competitive edge in a challenging market.
Read More “Top 5 Real Estate Apps for Home Buyers and their REALTORS®”
For successful real estate agents, a certain portion of their referral business comes from the financial advisors with whom they have built trusted relationships. Financial professionals call on agents first when they have clients who need help with real estate, and there are three key reasons why they want agents to work with RPM:
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