Covid 19’s wide-ranging impact sadly involved much more than our health. Just over 10 Million homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage, were forced to enlist forbearance (a temporary interruption in monthly payments) to tide them over until the employment market and their financial position improved. Forbearance however does not mean forgiveness. Those deferred payments are… Read More
Advice
New Home or Pre-Owned, Cash or Financed, Do You Need Title Insurance?
Home buyers are frequently surprised to learn that they need to have a title insurance policy in place in order to close on their home loan. In fact, if you’re using a mortgage to buy your home, a lender’s title insurance policy will be required. In addition to protecting the mortgage company, home buyers should… Read More
Minimize Risk to Your Home as Storm Season Closes In
Weather skirmishes differ in personality but many are capable of being harmful or damaging to your property, and in various regions of the country we are now anticipating some version storm season. Along the East Coast, folks are readying for hurricanes while the Southwest has Monsoon to look forward to, and though thunder storms can… Read More
Home Sellers: Get the Biggest Bang for Your Upgrade Buck
Setting the appraisal aside (which is something I find difficult to do but I’ll give it a go at for the sake of sticking to the point) home updates can do one of three things for a home seller. They either increase the value of the home, decrease the days on the market, or they… Read More
Real Estate Q & A: Is it Possible to Schedule Showings Only When We’re at Work?
Question: Is it possible to schedule showings only when we’re at work so our evenings, weekends and family time are not disturbed? I hear this question in one form or another all the time; only when we’re at work, only when we’re at home, only when the kids are at school, only when the dog… Read More
Homeowners, It’s Property Tax Time – Considering an Appeal?
Homeowners, It’s Property Tax Time – Considering an Appeal? I’ve never felt the need to appeal my property taxes but I’ve known quite a few folks who have, some successful, some not so much. For the most part it was the homeowners who discovered inaccuracies in the information specifically about the property, who prevailed. I’m… Read More
Done Renovating? If Cleaning Up is Your Worst Nightmare, Read On
After yesterday’s discussion about the renovation projects that were best and worst for your home’s value, we thought we’d help you clean up the mess. Not literally of course, we hate cleaning as much as you do. And somehow the mayhem left behind after our home improvement projects is always so much worse than we… Read More
Think the final walk-through is a waste of time? Skipping it could cost you!
Think the final walk-through is a waste of time? Skipping it could cost you! I recently had a Home Seller client who was threatened with the loss of a deposit. I say threatened rather than ‘at risk’ because one very important procedure was ignored. Here’s the scenario. The Seller’s home was sold, closed and recorded…. Read More
How to Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market
How to Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market. *continuation of yesterday’s blog Why Are Existing Home Sales Tanking? We all know the equation: low inventory plus higher prices equals a tight market. This setting can be a challenge for buyers who are competing for their dream home. According to the National Association of REALTORS® … Read More
Is Real Estate Where Millennials Part with OnLine Engagement?
Millennials are known for being bright, quick to adopt, and intent on exploring online interaction opportunities, but according to a well-known financial fitness website, Millennials prefer a solid, face-to-face relationship when it’s time to purchase a home. Millennials are overwhelmingly choosing local Realtors and Mortgage Lenders over the growing uncertainty of online home buying options…. Read More