You’ve found it – the perfect home. From the molding to the skylights, it’s everything you’ve ever wanted. Just as you’re getting ready to put in an offer, the listing changes. Now it’s listed as “under contract.” Is this the end of your real estate romance, or is there a chance you and your dream
Real Estate
For most people, a home is the largest single purchase they’ll make in their lifetimes. It comes with upfront expenses like closing costs, down payments and potential repairs or upgrades. These additional expenses can easily add tens of thousands of dollars to the upfront costs of buying a new home. You may think that saving the
A multiple listing service (MLS) is a database real estate agents and brokers create, maintain and pay for. Because it’s a collaborative tool, it makes transactions easier for all parties involved in the sale of real estate. Real estate brokers can see each other’s listings, schedule showings and easily connect buyers and sellers. The MLS
When you’re buying a home, you’ll want to make sure there are no legal issues with the property. Lis pendens means there is a legal dispute over a property, which can make a property difficult to buy or sell. Whether you’re a homeowner, a potential buyer or someone disputing property ownership, understanding how lis pendens
Home flipping can be a profitable venture if you know how to do it, but many people are afraid to get their feet wet. If you want to learn how to start flipping houses, the good news is that it’s not as scary as you think. You don’t even need to have a ton of
Did you know that flood damage isn’t typically covered by homeowners insurance? That’s right. Your policy covers different types of damage, but if your home gets flooded, your home and your belongings aren’t covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Here comes flood insurance to save the day! If you’re wondering whether you need flood insurance
After a buyer puts in an offer or purchase contract and makes a good faith deposit (aka earnest money deposit), there are only a few boxes left to check before the sale goes through. But what happens when the home appraisal comes back low, essentially warning you that you’re about to overpay for the home
Does the current seller’s market make you feel like you need to take a stealth approach to negotiations? When there are lots of buyers interested in a home, you may find yourself on the frontline of a bidding war. Sometimes buyers try to offer more than the seller’s asking price to give them the best
As a first-time home seller, you may be a bit anxious or confused about why a buyer might be quiet after the home inspection. Did they back out and not say anything? Should you look for a new buyer? How long does the buyer have to respond? All of these are valid questions and we’re
If you’ve been looking around for the perfect house, you may feel anxious about how to buy the one you’ve set your heart on at a price that won’t bust your budget. We know negotiating a home price may seem intimidating, but knowing the right moves to make ahead of time can relieve a lot
You’re selling your home. You’ve accepted an offer, and it looks like it’s smooth sailing ahead. But what happens if the home’s appraised value is lower than the buyer’s offer? Is the sale sunk or can it be salvaged? If the appraisal is lower than the offer, the buyer’s loan may not get approved. And
When you become a homeowner, you hope that your home and its belongings are safe and protected for as long as you own the home. Unfortunately, no hope is guaranteed. Fire, theft, weather events, plumbing problems and the fickle finger of fate can strike your home at any time. That’s why you need homeowners insurance.
So, you’ve found a house, and your offer has been accepted. Congrats! Now you’re probably wondering how soon until you can move in. That’ll depend on when you’re scheduled to close on your new home. Closing is the date when everyone involved with the sale (including your lender) is satisfied and agrees that you and
There’s a lot that goes on during the home buying process, and one of those things is usually a home inspection. If foundation issues are uncovered, it can hamper your ability to get approved for a loan and might even hurt your home’s resale value. But you’ve got options. We’re here to help you figure
Your home is a large investment so you’ll want to make sure it stands the test of time. The foundation of a house is an essential component to its safety, stability and longevity. It keeps the house in place, ensures the house is level, keeps moisture out and even insulates. But foundations can have problems,
Just when you thought you had this home buying thing down, you hear about a hybrid appraisal. You know what a hybrid electric car is, but a hybrid appraisal? In real estate, a hybrid appraisal is an alternative to a traditional appraisal. With a traditional appraisal, a licensed appraiser inspects a property and analyzes local
Most of the time, when people buy their first home, they’re not thinking too much about what to do when they move. But as the years go by, different housing options might come to mind. You’ve probably heard – and seen on TV – that investing in real estate can make you money. Maybe you’re
The excitement of being a first-time home buyer is unbeatable. A home is one of the most important and largest purchases you’ll make, and it’ll have a significant impact on your financial future. The question that many first-time home buyers face? Should you buy a starter home or jump directly to your forever home? There’s
Accidents happen all the time; it’s just a natural and unpreventable part of life. Homeowners might not be able to prevent all the accidents, but they can prepare for them. Creating a home inventory list is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare. Trust us, your future self will thank you!
When touring homes or checking out prospects online, do you ever admire the decor of a home so much that you wish you could buy it as-is? Or maybe you’ve experienced the opposite. Maybe you saw the perfect home, but something was off about the way it was decorated. That’s the power – good, bad
Adulting ain’t easy, we know. One of the more challenging adulthood milestones to reach is buying your first house. And one of the most challenging parts of buying your first house is saving up for the down payment. Inflation plus stagnant minimum wages(1) equals a generation that makes less money and has fewer opportunities to
If you’ve gone through bankruptcy and aspire to own a home, you are likely wondering if you’ll be able to get your finances back on track and fulfill your homeownership dreams. In this regard, you’re not alone. In 2020, more than 500,000 people filed for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.[1] So, while bankruptcy can
Moving into a new home can be a big deal, even when you’re just moving to a new neighborhood or a nearby county. When the move crosses state lines, buying a home in the area can feel like exploring another planet, especially if it’s somewhere you haven’t lived before. The good news is that you’re
For many first-time home buyers, the home buying process can feel like a mysterious journey into murky, uncharted waters. REALTORS® and real estate agents can help home buyers keep their dreams of owning a home afloat. According to the 2020 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), 89%
Although we set out looking for the perfect house to buy, we may come to realize that ours just isn’t out there – yet. That’s why, as a home buyer, it’s so important to make sure you work out a real estate purchase agreement that lands you the best deal you can swing with the
Fizzbo. ? No, it’s not the name of a party clown. It’s how you pronounce “FSBO,” the acronym of “for sale by owner.” Maybe you’ve seen a FSBO home listed online and wondered how different the buying process is from buying a home that’s listed the standard way. Or maybe you’re about to put your
There are few reasons why a rent-to-own option may be a good fit. Maybe you’re not financially ready to make a large down payment. Or maybe you aren’t ready to take out a mortgage. Rent-to-own agreements can help first-time home buyers, people getting their “financial act” together and anyone who is tired of the endless
Think of your down payment as the cover charge that gets you into the homeowners club. ? A lot of home buyers might need to get creative to pull together the cash they need for this upfront cost, but once they’re over that hump and into their new home, they know it was worth it.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could give you a yes or no answer? Oh, if only things could be that easy. Deciding you’re ready to buy a house might seem like a major step. And that would be correct because – spoiler alert – it is. But it doesn’t have to be “meeting your
Wondering how to buy your first home? You’re not alone. For the past 20 years, 1 million to 2 million Americans became first-time home buyers every year. In 2020, that number spiked to 2.38 million. Even as homeownership is rising, it can still feel like a mysterious process for a newbie. We’ll help you understand