Blog - real estate tips

7 Surprising Things You Can Negotiate With Home Sellers

When it comes to tipping the scales in your favor in homebuying, negotiating the asking price is often the first item on the list. But did you know that there are other things you can negotiate with the seller for your benefit?

What's even better is that these items can often be negotiated even in a seller's market!

And when you combine it with a competitive mortgage rate with us **wink wink**, you'll be well on your way to saving thousands and making your home-buying experience work an awesome and affordable one.

1.) Closing costs: Closing costs can include a variety of fees, such as appraisal fees, title insurance, and attorney fees. Buyers can negotiate with the seller to pay some or all of these costs or ask for a credit to offset the…

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Best Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

For most people, entering a mortgage agreement is the single largest financial responsibility of their lives. Finding the best loan is more complicated than simply accepting the first mortgage offered at your bank, though. Various lenders offer different arrays of loan types and terms, so we do recommend that everyone takes the time to shop around before signing a loan agreement.

The best way to determine which of the potential home loans is the most advantageous is by asking the best questions!

The answers to the following questions will yield a great deal of information for you to examine, which will ensure that you’re fully prepared to choose the single best mortgage for your situation.

Will you be performing a hard credit check on me…

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Are Home Improvements Tax Deductible?

As this year’s tax season draws to a close, many homeowners are beginning to plan their home-related tax strategies for 2024. To help, we want to share tips on maximizing your tax return through certain types of home improvements. While the specifics of your own tax filings should invariably be discussed with a qualified accountant, there are general guidelines regarding which home improvements are tax deductible.

Please note that you can only take advantage of the following home improvement tax deductions when you sell your home. Keep every record of the improvements you make to your home. This careful documentation will ensure that you are able to apply for every possible tax deduction.

Categories that Are Not Deductible

Repairs, routine…

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Is a 20% Down Payment Right for You?

The idea that you should put 20% down on a home is one that has been the "gold standard" for years. After all, when you put 20% down, you avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, and you'll have a smaller loan amount with lower monthly payments. It's something that could save you a lot of money in the long run—but there's also a catch.

Not everyone can easily afford 20%, especially with home prices having risen at a record pace over the last few years. So, what should potential buyers do? Let's explore the pros and cons of putting 20% down on your next home purchase.

The Financial Benefits of Putting 20% Down

Let's start by talking about the financial benefits of putting 20% down. In most cases, if you can afford it, it makes good…

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Home Buying Tips for the Spring

Getting ready to buy a home can be stressful and complicated. With so many details and decisions to make, it's no wonder why potential buyers often feel overwhelmed. This spring season, don’t let the high demand of the residential real estate market cause you stress or prevent you from landing your dream home.

Here are 5 tips to help you navigate the buying process.

Tip #1: Work With Real Estate Agent Early On

A real estate agent will be an invaluable resource throughout every step of the buying process. They have quick access to listings before they hit major online listings, and they can also explain how the bidding process works.

Tip #2: Prioritize Your Needs

Before you start shopping, it’s important to know what your priorities…

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Simple Budgeting Tips To Own Your First Home

Follow these tips and expert insight to help you get your budget in order and get yourself ready to buy your first home.

1.) Organize Your Finances

You may know how much you have in your bank accounts, but do you know how much you spend on household expenses and luxuries each month? Or which credit card has the highest interest or balance? 

Getting a good handle on your money starts with a clear idea of where your money is going. This info will also help you determine what you can afford and your homebuying timeline. Start by breaking down your finances into the following categories:

• Start with creating a basic budget for items like housing, groceries, and gas.
• Account for an emergency saving --In case of an accident or other…

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Choosing the Best Mortgage Option

Not all loan products are the same, nor are borrower situations. For first-time homebuyers, you’ll most likely hear about the most popular 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan, and there’s no arguing that it's a great loan product for most buyers but not in all circumstances.

However, other mortgage options could be better, depending on your financial circumstances and future plans.

The best way to know is to talk to a mortgage professional. But you can start getting familiar with your options with this article.

If you plan to stay for a long time

When you come across a home you fall in love with and plan to stay in the property forever, a fixed-rate loan is a good option. 

These loans can give you peace of mind since you pay the same…

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Perks of a Multigenerational Home

If you are facing a financial or health-related problem or simply going through a new phase in life, you may be thinking about sharing a home with close family or extended family members.

Many people have decided that living in a multigenerational home answers their problems. The number of American adults who have lived in a multigenerational home has more than doubled compared to forty years ago.

It’s no surprise that more and more families are choosing this setup for practical reasons. 

The question is, will this work for you and your family? Let’s dig deeper into how this works and look at tips on making a multigenerational home work for you.

How do you define a multigenerational home?

According to the Pew Research Center, a…

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New Neighborhood Checklist

If you plan on buying a new house, you should thoroughly research the property that meets your needs. But you shouldn’t only be diligent about the house-hunting part during your research. You would also like to know more about the neighborhood you’re about to relocate to.

If you’re confused about what you should look for in a community, here are ten things to consider in looking for your ideal neighborhood.

1.) Neighborhood Safety

Safety and security should be your top priorities when moving to a new location. Do your homework to research specific crimes in the area. You can also visit the local police department and ask questions about which part of the neighborhood has a higher crime rate.

2.) Parks & Recreation

If you have kids,…

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Buying & Selling As a Military Family

Being a part of a military family means you may not have a permanent address for some time. It’s common to receive orders to move to another station even if you’ve just settled into a house and neighborhood you love.

To make the experience easier, we share some tips on buying and selling your home as a military family.

Should you buy a house or not?

When you’re an active service member, you’ll receive a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), whether renting or buying. The amount depends on your pay grade, where you’re living, and your dependency status.

Buying a home is a good option if you want lower monthly payments than renting, but if you think you’ll get transferred in a short time, you’ll probably want to hold off a bit. The reason is…

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