Savvy Homeowner Tips

There are 5 things you can do to dramatically reduce the amount of junk mail and phone solicitations you receive. 

A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit worthiness and a factor that will be considered by the lender when they look at your loan application.

When it comes to homes, there’s no one size fits all – or in this case, one size fits all generations.

House hunting with children can add another layer of complexity to your search. It is a balancing act; moving can be difficult for both young children and finicky teenagers. When you are house hunting for your family, consider how the home will suit your kids now and in the future.

I love taxes! Said no one ever. 

Paying taxes is like taking a trip to the dentist–it’s a part of life, but we don’t have to be happy about it. Property taxes are no exception. 

You are about to embark on one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences that can ever come from spending money: buying a home.

Any home can become “smarter” with the addition of a smart speaker to access Alexa, Cortana, or Siri hooked up to thermostats, light switches, television sets, and the garage door. Add a Ring security system, and a robot vacuum cleaner and your house will probably be the smartest in the neighborhood.

Closing on a home is exciting. And expensive! As a budgeting challenge, the thousands of dollars in loan processing fees, settlement services, inspections, and up-front payments collectively known as closing costs is second only to your down payment.

It pays to be a homeowner—quite a bit, actually. In certain parts of the country, it's even wildly profitable. Cha-ching!

Much of today's homebuying advice is geared toward people looking to buy existing homes. However, there is another market segment that deserves sound advice – those looking to buy new construction.
 

You’re about to sign a mortgage loan. It’s a huge financial commitment. What exactly are you getting into? The Closing Disclosure is all about making sure you have a really clear answer to that question, so you can close on your new home with no worries about the fine print coming back to bite your head off.

How long does underwriting take? Underwriting—the process in which mortgage lenders verify your assets to get a home loan—can last a little as two to three days, but typically takes over a week to finish. Underwriting happens right before you close on a house, so timing can be crucial, particularly if you want to move in by a certain date. 

You are about to embark on one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences that can ever come from spending money: buying a home. 

It’s the time of year for pumpkin-flavored drinks, football season, and those projects that get your house looking great and ready for winter. Whether you tackle these yourself or hire someone to help, they’ll save you money and could possibly add equity. Get started today!