03 Feb 2022
By noelkelman

Three Tips To Get The Best Financing On Your Second Home Purchase

Home Buyer Tips, ,
Are you buying a property as your second home? Perhaps you are looking for a small cottage or apartment where you can escape to for your vacations, or maybe you want to have another home closer to your relatives? Maybe you want to rent out your second property and make a steady income from your investment. Whatever the reason, a second piece of real estate can be a fantastic investment. However, sometimes getting a mortgage on your second home can present a challenge. Generally, a mortgage lender will have tougher standards for vacation home -- or second home -- loans…
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19 Jan 2022
By noelkelman

3 Considerations When Making A Down Payment

Home Buyer Tips, ,
One of the challenges you will face when deciding how much money to put down on your new home is whether to put down a larger down payment or to take a bit of money from your down payment and use it to pay "discount points" to lower your interest rate. There are pros and cons to doing both and each borrower's situation will be different so it's important to understand which option is best for your individual need. Some Factors You Should Consider Include: Cost Of Borrowing - generally speaking, to lower your interest rate will mean you pay a…
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07 Jan 2022
By noelkelman

3 ‘Must Know’ Pieces of Advice for First-time Home Buyers

Home Buyer Tips, ,
When delving into the realities of home ownership, there can be many factors involved that make it difficult to determine what you need to know and what can wait until later. If you happen to be a first-time buyer who's looking for the best tips for purchasing a home, look no further than the following three pointers to set you on the right path. Get Familiar With Your Credit Score If you haven't looked at your credit report for a long time, it can be a daunting task to request this information. Fortunately, your credit report is free from AnnualCreditReport.com…
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29 Dec 2021
By noelkelman

Do You Need Mortgage Insurance Even If It’s Not Required By Your Lender? Let’s Take A Look

Home Buyer Tips, ,
Finding a proper mortgage loan and understanding the processing procedures behind the loan is the basis of good research. The down payment on a mortgage loan is typically significant when dealing with mortgage insurance. Most loan applications with less than 20% down payment are required to include mortgage insurance with the loan. However, mortgage insurance may still be required even if it's not typically required by your lender. Underwriting Requirements Most home mortgage applications undergo a strict set of standards for approval. These standards are known as underwriting and make up the bulk of time spent on a mortgage application.…
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16 Dec 2021
By noelkelman

Thinking About Downsizing? Here’s What You Need to Know About Life in a Condo

Home Buyer Tips, ,
The shift from home living to condo life may seem like a minor one, but there are plenty of things that will differentiate your lifestyle other than size when it comes to making a condominium purchase. If you're contemplating this move and wondering about some of the things that this might entail, here are a few factors that are worth considering. The Fees You'll Have to Pay While a smaller condo is unlikely to have the same associated costs as a large home, you will be paying a monthly condominium fee that will be covering maintenance and insurance so that…
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22 Jul 2021
By noelkelman

How to Plan for a Smooth Move-in

Home Buyer Tips,
With all of the rigmarole that goes into packing up your old home and moving into the new one, there are a lot of details that can get lost in the mix. From cleaning up the old house to handing over the keys, there's no shortage of small tasks that need to be completed. If you'll soon be prepping for the exciting move into your next home, here are some ways to prepare yourself for this busy time. Do A Spring Clean, Even When It's Not Spring! Spring cleaning may be something that people only do once a year, but…
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26 May 2021
By noelkelman

Family Matters: How to Choose the Perfect Home for a Large or Growing Family

Home Buyer Tips, ,
Selecting the right home to purchase for a family is a monumental task, and this process can seem even more challenging for those with a large or growing family. A common goal may be to give everyone ample space to stretch out and feel relaxed, but some home buyers may also be focused on other factors like location, cost and even the general style of the home. While choosing the perfect home for a large or growing family is not easy, the process can be simplified by focusing on a few points. Focus On Storage Space There are few things…
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14 May 2021
By noelkelman

Avoiding Home Buyer Remorse: 5 Tips for a Happier Homeowner

Home Buyer Tips, ,
The rush of excitement that comes with finding the home you've been looking for is ideal, but just because it seems like the perfect place, doesn't mean there aren't other factors to consider. Instead of getting hit with buyer's remorse, here are some tips so that your home purchase doesn't become something you'll regret. Forget About The Competition If you're contemplating a house and happen to be dragged into a bidding war, it's important to take a step back and determine if it's really the right home for you. It can be easy to get carried away and up your…
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