The short answer is Yes. But read on for a few considerations, suggestions and a caveat or two to prepare your finances before you apply. A large percentage of recent college graduates have student loan debt, often totaling tens of thousands of dollars. While having significant balances might make it harder to become a homeowner,… Read More
You’re fortunate, not to mention unusual, if you are a first-time home buyer who has the means to obtain a Conventional mortgage. Commonly the biggest stumbling block is down payment. For the majority of home buyers, their first purchase will not be their forever home. I generally tell buyers to consider their first home to… Read More
Shopping for a home before you’ve nailed down your price range is not only unwise but can be truly disappointing. You may have a vague idea of what you can afford, but before you’ve talked with a lender, it’s hardly possible to grasp all the costs involved or the options available to you including those… Read More
“It’s awesome, it puts your faith back in humanity”. These are the heartfelt words of Reggie Henderson, a formerly homeless Army Veteran who, along with his dog, has been staying in a Phoenix transitional residence while he finds work and a permanent place to live. We first heard this story on 3TV Arizona’s Family, and we… Read More
We recently learned of an admirable little organization right here in our hometown of Gilbert, Arizona. Not so little actually, Dogs4Vets has now become one of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S. This wonderful non-profit, ‘Dogs4Vets‘, was founded by Gerad & Debbie Claseman in 2005. As the name implies, they set out… Read More
The Real Estate market appears to be equalizing in many parts of the country, meaning neither home buyer’s nor home seller’s hold all the cards. In these rare moments of balance, advantages can be gained by either party with smart negotiation, knowledge of strategies to employ and exactly how far you can stretch your advantage…. Read More
Tis the season. Throughout most of the country, Winter is notorious for provoking power outages. Most often caused by storms and accidents, power blackouts can wreak havoc on our health and safety. Freezing pipes, spoiled food, hampered communications, and exposure to extreme temperatures are among the serious threats that can that can befall you during… Read More
Now is the time! Even here in Arizona we’ve been warned. Residents North of Flagstaff and along our Eastern border with New Mexico, have already seen a snowstorm, unseasonable weather and short-lived to be certain, but a playful reminder that weather anywhere can turn on a dime. How often do we think about turning on… Read More
I might venture a guess that better than half of all home buyers, and a great majority of first-time buyers, choose an FHA mortgage. Home loans come in a variety of flavors but the FHA loan, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, offers benefits not found in most other options, not the least of which… Read More
In a Zillow report (below), research revealed that coming up with a down payment is the number one hurdle for home buyers. I have found that it’s a common misconception among potential buyers, that you must have a 20% down payment to buy a home. I’m here today to let you know that is CATEGORICALLY… Read More
