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Quick tidbits of advice and ideas about real estate.

 

Just like trying on clothes or taking a car for a test drive, buying a home comes with a test run, as well. Once you decide you love a house and want to buy – one of the last major steps before finalizing it is the inspection. To be sure you get everything you need from the inspection, here’s what you need to know:

How to Find an Inspector?

There are many different ways to find an inspector, but we highly recommend going off of recommendations from realtors, and trusted family/friends. For referrals from recent homebuyers, choose those that have been in their home for at least 6 months, so they know if anything major popped up that the inspector didn’t catch. We also recommend asking more than one about their backgrounds, and specialties.…

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Turns out, buying a home is a huge decision. (Just kidding, obviously we all know that). But what we don’t think about that often is that by renting, we are also actively deciding not to buy. Whether we realize it or not, we are actively having to make the decision over and over again about whether to buy or rent. Because of this, we thought it would be helpful to give a quick rundown of things you should think about when it comes to renting vs. buying.

Down Payment

Renting – The initial payment to move into a rental can still get steep, with many places asking for first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit. However, even with the somewhat steep upfront cost, there are no more unexpected costs. 

Buying – With buying, you have to put…

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While most of us have seen countless home improvement shows over the years, fewer people realize that there are also podcasts tailored to every aspect of home ownership. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning out your project or are renovating on a budget, today’s best podcasts for current or future homeowners have the answers to all of your questions.

Each podcast is free to download for Android and iOS, including links to extensive, information-packed archives.

Home Repair Tutor

Intended for the new or struggling DIY homeowner, Home Repair Tutor aims to educate and inspire. This weekly podcast is crammed with tips on buying the right tools and supplies, proper preparation, and guidelines to help you decide whether or not you can…

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In case you weren’t aware: Buying a home is a big deal. 

The good news? It’s a process, and the more comfortable and informed you are with the process, the smoother, and more educated your home buying journey will be.

While exact steps can vary depending on your situation, we’ve pulled together an overview of what the typical process looks like:

1.) Know Your Credit Score & What You Can Afford

Checking your credit score to know what you’re working with for a mortgage is an essential next step. Check out this article on how to navigate the free credit score system. In addition, you want to know what you can afford (and feel comfortable with) for a down payment and monthly mortgage payments. Check out this tool from Zillow to help figure what…

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When talking about the benefits of owning a home, especially from a mortgage professional’s point-of-view, you often hear about the financial upside of homeownership. While it’s true that buying a home remains one of the most stable investments one make, there are many more advantages to homeownership.

So as we now enter what many are calling a “borrower’s market,” we want to share some of the lesser-known benefits of buying a home. Do any of these surprise you?

The Personal Value of Homeownership

Owning a home is a marker for many essential milestones, namely, entering adulthood. It also represents independence, success, and stability. It can also mark the beginning of positive events, like starting a family or gatherings, as well as…

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While some potential homeowners were unable to purchase a property this summer due to fierce competition and a short supply, many experts say autumn is actually the best time to shop. With fewer people in the market to buy a home and those who listed properties before still anxious to sell, this season creates a higher probability for better deals and better pricing.

The biggest thing that can help facilitate real estate sales at this time of year is that most homes still on the market have been there for some time – usually a few months, according to Trulia. Sellers are more likely to bring down their prices and provide a little more wiggle room than they might have during the summer to get a deal done expediently, especially if they’re looking to…

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Planning to buy an investment property is an exciting … and serious venture. For most, no matter how logical and analytical the investment property search begins, the further you get into the process, the more “emotional” the decisions become. While buying an investment property certainly makes sense for some, be sure to consider the following before making the big decision:

Research, Research, Research

Finding the perfect physical property is just the tip of the iceberg. Research on everything from the demographics, schools, and new projects around you are just as important for the future value of the property. In a fast growing place like Middle Tennessee, researching the future of the surrounding area is crucial for any investment. Consider…

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Starter homes are becoming increasingly popular due to the number of young adults moving into the housing market – primarily as first-time homeowners and buyers. Due to their size, such properties typically carry significantly lower price tags than median-priced homes and may be perfect for buyers looking to keep their costs down, according to Trulia. However, with the demand so great, starter homes typically spend very time on the market and often attract multiple bidders.

Digging into the numbers
Research shows the challenges shoppers fixed on lower-priced housing options are likely to encounter. Through the end of the first quarter of the year, starter homes made up just 22.4 percent of listings, down from the previous 22.8 percent on both a…

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Usually, by the time you schedule a home inspection, you’re at least halfway in love with a house. You’ve walked through it many times, and you’ve likely made note of any concerns you have regarding the home’s condition. The inspection is the last hurdle separating you from the house of your dreams, so it’s only natural for you to want it to go well.

Ultimately, though, you really don’t want a home that doesn’t pass the most rigorous inspection. Hire an impartial inspector who has no loyalties to anyone involved except you. The most qualified home inspectors do cost more than one you might find by happenstance, but when you compare this cost to the overall investment you’ll be making in this new home, it becomes clear that this is not the moment for…

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Moving tests the “planner” in us all. The details, the prep –  the lists of what to prepare for seem to be never-ending. But one thing that seems to slip people’s mind is prepping to move your pets. After all, they’re members of the family – so it feels like they can just hop in the car and go, too! However, depending on the type of pet and move – there is likely some planning involved. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to moving your beloved furry one:

Research Ahead of Time Each state has different regulations for pets. This includes any type of permits, certifications, and vaccines your pet may need in a new location. Also if applicable be sure to check in with future landlords or HOAs for regulations that must be…

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