What is a Home Inspection?

What is a Home Inspection?

When you’re buying a home, it is often recommended to have a home inspection- but what does a home inspection really mean? People have many misconceptions and perspectives on home inspections. I’ve had buyers ask me what happens if a home doesn’t ‘pass’ a home inspection. Or what if X,Y,Z all need fixed in order for the bank to accept the home inspection.

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Five ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for the Spring Market

Five ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for the Spring Market

After a crazy real estate market in 2020, how will 2021 stack up? So far interest rates remain low, therefore motivating many buyers to purchase. Although, home inventory is also low, which makes a very competitive market for buyers. Thus far, 2021 looks like it will be very similar to 2020. If you are a seller looking to get the most for your home, it’s important to prepare. Just because it’s a sellers’ market doesn’t mean you get a free pass. An overpriced home in a seller’s market is still an overpriced home. So what can you do to get the most for your home?

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Seven Ways to Protect Your Home During the Holidays

Seven Ways to Protect Your Home During the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching which means families and friends will gather to celebrate. Things will look different this year for many people due to COVID, but I still expect a lot of families to travel to be with their loved ones. With so many people on the road, its important to protect your home. Its an easy time for someone to target an empty home, so here’s a couple things you can do to protect your belongings while you are away.

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Five Common Items that can Save You Money on Home Projects

Five Common Items that can Save You Money on Home Projects

There are a lot of household items you have in your closet right now that you can use to tackle many home maintenances projects- you just need to know how to use them! No need to run to the store to grab a specific cleaner when you very possibly have everything you need right at home. Here are five common household items that have an endless amount of uses. Save money on your next project and just check your closet.

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How to Determine What you Need for a Down Payment

How to Determine What you Need for a Down Payment

Once of the most common questions I get in regards to real estate, is how to determine what is needed for a down payment. Years ago the golden rule was 20%, but things have changed. You can now purchase a home with as little as 3% down, and even 0% down in some cases! It all depends on the loan you qualify for.

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Five Negotiating Tactics that can Kill a Deal

Five Negotiating Tactics that can Kill a Deal

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:

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Which Payment Strategy is Right for You?

Which Payment Strategy is Right for You?

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20% down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20% is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders

But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.

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Four Tips to Help You Get the Winning Home Bid

Four Tips to Help You Get the Winning Home Bid

The market is hot right now and homes are going quick. Unfortunately for buyers, it is a sellers market. What this means is that the inventory of homes is low, but the number of buyers is high; therefore, sellers have the upper hand. If a home is desirable and priced right it is quite common to receive multiple offers. So what can you do as a buyer to win a bidding war?

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What is Equity?

What is Equity?

Equity was something that took me a little bit to understand. I understood WHAT is was, but didn’t understand HOW it worked. So if you are in the same boat I was, let me try and break it down for you.

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Do you Rent to Section 8?

Do you Rent to Section 8?

I feel like Section 8 tends to get a bad rap. The connotation with Section 8 is that you are renting low quality housing to low income tenants just to collect that government check. If you rent to Section 8 you are often perceived as a slum lord, which isn’t fair to landlords or tenants. I think the lack of education about what Section 8 really is and who qualifies for Section 8 is missing to the general public.

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