17 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

How To Tell If A Home Has Been Well-Maintained

Mortgage, ,
As a homebuyer, your real estate agent will do their best bring you to see homes that meet the criteria you asked for. However, there's no guarantee that a home will have a history of being properly cared for. Your real estate agent can choose the homes you see, but they have no control over the property owner's homeownership habits. Why Home Maintenance Matters Home maintenance should matter to you as a homebuyer and later on as a homeowner. A home needs consistent and proper maintenance in order to run efficiently, and that doesn't only apply to moving parts like…
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16 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

The Most And Least Expensive Cities In America

Mortgage, ,
The cost of living in America varies widely in different parts of the country. In general, it is less expensive to live in the country than in the cities. However, there are many cities where the cost of living is modest compared to others where the money needed to live there is outrageous in comparison. These rankings came from comparing the monthly cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, the price for gasoline, and the cost of groceries. The Ten Lowest-Cost Cities For Renters From Texas and Ohio to New Mexico and Arizona, there are some nice cities in this…
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11 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

Buying A Home: You Might Be Able To Skip The Home Appraisal – But Should You?

Mortgage, ,
When someone is thinking about buying a home, one of the key parts is the home appraisal. The appraisal ensures that the buyer is paying a fair price for the home while also protecting the mortgage lender against taking a loss. On the other hand, an appraisal is also an added cost of the buyer can be a serious source of stress for both sellers and brokers. Recently, government agencies have passed a rule saying that home appraisals are no longer going to be required on homes that are less than $400,000; however, many lenders will still require them. Therefore,…
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10 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

7 Reasons To Buy A Home In The Summer Months

Mortgage, ,
If you've been putting off your house hunting, it's time to head out. Summer is the best season to go shopping for a new home, for a variety of reasons.  1. More Inventory Homeowners list their homes for sale in the summer more often than any other season. When you shop for a new home during this time, you'll have a much wider selection of homes to choose from.  2. Better Prices More inventory in summer often turns the local real estate scene into a buyer's market. Home sellers may have to compete with other sellers on the same block…
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09 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

5 Tips For Getting A Job In A New City When You Relocate

Mortgage, ,
Did you just move into a new city? Transitioning to a new city is hard enough, but when you also need to find a job, it can be even tougher. Since everything is a bit new to you, there are definitely some strategies to implement that will make your job hunting easier. Here are some tips to keep in mind. 1. Let People Know You are Looking For A Job Everywhere you go, spread the word that you are in the market for a new job. In general, people love to help out other people. Someone you speak with will…
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04 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

Why Every Home Buyer Needs A Pre-Approval Before Home Shopping

Mortgage, ,
There are many people who are considering buying a home because the current market is so attractive. With the ability to carry out virtual tours, this makes it even easier for people to find the home of their dreams. While the fun part is looking at houses, it is important to get pre-approved for a home loan first. There are a few reasons why everyone must get pre-approved before they start the process of shopping for a home.  This Provides A Chance For People To Get Their Finances In Order Buying a home is a major decision. For many people,…
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03 Jun 2020
By noelkelman

The Basics Of A Mortgage

Mortgage, ,
The vast majority of people who are interested in buying a home are not going to be able to pay cash for the home. Even for those who can buy a home in cash, they often would rather take out a loan to avoid pulling money out of their investments where they would have to pay capital gains taxes. Those who take out a loan to buy a home will apply for something called a mortgage. Simply put, a mortgage is a loan that someone uses to buy a home. Mortgages are very specific to the real estate industry; however,…
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28 May 2020
By noelkelman

The Pros And Cons Of Remodeling During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Mortgage, ,
Nearly everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in some way. While many people are getting tired of being cooped up in their homes, the home improvement industry has actually been able to stay afloat. Furthermore, it is actually thriving. Because many people are trapped in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are thinking about carrying out a home remodeling project. For those who are wondering about the prospects of such an undertaking, it is important to weigh the pros and cons.  The Pros Of Home Remodeling During The COVID-19 Pandemic There are a few benefits that…
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