Most people would not normally begin the home buying process until they felt that they were ready to make a move. In the case of a New Construction home however, it is almost always advisable to initiate your search much sooner than that, even up to a year in advance of your desired moving date…. Read More
If market conditions are a bit challenging for home buyers right now, the FED’s recent decision to drop interest rates and the resulting decrease in mortgage rates, provide a satisfying counterbalance. The home buying market has been tight and overly competitive for quite some time due in large part to lower-than-normal inventory. Home buyers in… Read More
This post from RIS Media with information provided by the Insurance Information Institute, is truly educational. Homeowners insurance is an often overlooked detail in the home buying process, usually only considered in passing as relates to its inclusion in monthly mortgage payments. As a Realtor, and indeed a fellow home owner I can assure you,… Read More
Like almost everything else in our lives, the VA loan ‘ain’t what it used to be’… because it’s so much better! In the past, and yes even the recent past, home sellers were scared off by a purchase offer from a home buyer using the VA loan. But the loan itself has changed, and public… Read More
Kitchens and garages are often carefully scrutinized when shopping for a home. Why? My theory is that much of the home’s storage space is located in the kitchen area and in the garage. Considering the scarcity of basements in our region, storage space claims an even higher spot on an Arizona home buyer’s list of… Read More
Did you know, that something called a CLUE report can be critical when you’re buying a home? CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange and might also be known as a Letter of Experience or simply Property Insurance History. This report details all insurance claims made against a specific property, typically within the past 7… Read More
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
For the third year running, Maricopa County is the fastest growing county in the U.S. For those of you who are not residents (yet), Maricopa County is commonly referred to as “The Valley of the Sun”. It is essentially Central Arizona and encompasses some of the most recognizable cities in the state: Phoenix for one,… Read More
Friday saw a slight rise in mortgage rates but it appears to be only a blip in this year’s trending rate declines. The conventional 30-year fixed closed Friday at an average of 4.25%, with FHA backed financing and the VA mortgage both stalled around 4%. Early in January, it was anticipated that rates for home… Read More
First-time home buyers often have an issue with their credit score, not because it’s bad but because it’s non-existent. No worries you’re not alone, somewhere close to 50 million adults do not have a credit score. Nevertheless, an acceptable credit score is crucial if you plan on applying for a mortgage. Before you begin the… Read More
