What I wish I'd known before buying a foreclosed home
August 04, 2020
By Rebecca Benison When I began looking for a home on Long Island with a budget of $280,000 three years ago, finding a single-family home that wasn’t on the verge of collapse seemed almost impossible. Like many prospective buyers, I’d see listings for lower-priced foreclosures come up during my searches, but many were cash-only purchases since ...
Now is a Great time to buy!
August 04, 2020
2020 has been a rollercoaster so far, we started off with flooding in the south east then covid19 hit in March, then massive unemployment and unprecedented business closures. Due to rates staying low most Americans still felt confident in buying a home according to the US Census Bureau which reported…. “The homeownership rate of 67.9 percent ...
Disaster Preparedness
August 03, 2020
One easy way to prepare for hurricane season in North Carolina is to get the right information on your phone. There are many ways that you can stay up-to-date. Here are three suggestions. American Red Cross – Lots of great tips and tools to prepare for a disaster and to weather a stormFederal Emergency Management Agency – Get ...
Time Is Running Out For FHA Mortgage Loan Relief
August 03, 2020
Under the CARES Act passed in 2020 to help financially stricken Americans, all government-backed mortgages had foreclosure-avoidance measures instituted to protect homeowners from losing their homes during COVID-19.Those with VA, USDA, and FHA mortgages had all foreclosure actions suspended until the end of August 2020; the CARES Act forbids lenders and loan servicers “from beginning a judicial ...
7 Things You Can do to Qualify for a Mortgage
August 03, 2020
If you are thinking about buying a home this year and aren’t sure if you will qualify for a mortgage, there are several actions you can take to improve your chances of being approved for the amount you wish to borrow.Lenders look at more than just your credit rating. They want to know that you have a ...
How to Increase Property Value for 2020: Top 10 Cost-Effective Home Renovations
August 01, 2020
1. Get Creative and Increase the Usable Square Footage of your Home Square footage has one of the largest impacts on the value of your home or condo. When buyers begin their search for a property, they generally have an idea of how many bedrooms, bathrooms and an approximate idea of the square footage they want.One of the ...
What Should I Ask a Potential Mortgage Lender?
August 01, 2020
Shopping for a mortgage can be stressful and time-consuming, especially when you know next to nothing about the process. Nobody wants to feel like they’re making a monumental decision while going in blind.With that in mind, here’s a list of questions to ask your mortgage lender, before you sign anything.1. WHAT TYPE OF LOANS DO ...
3 ways Covid19 has changed traditional real estate showings.
July 30, 2020
3 ways coronavirus has changed traditional real estate showings. Most homes are now requiring a covid 19 waiver to be signed prior to viewing the home. This is different in every area so please read the guidelines if you are presented with this form. Most homes are providing gloves, mask and even hand sanitizer to be used or ...
Contract Signings Make a ‘Remarkable’ Move
July 30, 2020
July 29, 2020Pending home sales continued to escalate in June, the second consecutive month of increases—and all in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Association of REALTORS®’ Pending Home Sales Index showed that each of the four major regions of the U.S. saw an increase in month-over-month contract signings as home buyers rushed out ...
Stage Where It Counts
July 28, 2020
Stage Where It CountsNot all rooms are equal when it comes to staging. Only stage where it counts. You want to focus on the rooms that are most influencial to buyers such as kitchen, master bedroom and living room. Depersonalize the space - buyers want to be able to visualize the space as their own. ...
Guidance and Support Are Key When Buying Your First Home
July 28, 2020
Guidance and Support Are Key When Buying Your First HomeIn June, the number of first-time homebuyers accounted for 35% of the existing homes sold, a trend that’s been building steadily throughout the year. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):“The share of first-time buyers increased in March through June—right into the heart of the pandemic ...
Homeowners Struggling to Pay Bills in the Coronavirus Crisis
July 24, 2020
Homeowners Struggling to Pay Bills in the Coronavirus Crisis Credit goes to Nadia Evangelou...
Painting Concrete.
July 24, 2020
Painting concrete requires some extra steps to have a good result. If it's done properly your concrete sidewalks and patios can take on a new fresh look. Check out this article for the basics!https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/concrete-painting/?site_ref=mosaic...
How to Create a Floor Plan
July 23, 2020
In this ever changing world of buying and selling real estate, during 2020 - we see more and more buyers purchasing homes they have never seen 'in person' .Out of state buyers are relying on virtual tours, videos, facetime as some of the means to 'see' the prospective properties. They often need specific room measurements and ...
Rent-to-Own vs Seller Financing
July 17, 2020
While rent-to-own and seller financing may sound similar at first, they are two very different paths to homeownership. Let’s discuss the differences and pros and cons of each, so you can make a decision that best suits your needs.What is Rent-to-OwnLet’s start by discussing what a rent-to-own contract is. When renting-to-own the buyer makes ...
Choosing A Real Estate Agent
July 17, 2020
There are potentially over a million real estate agents in the US, but not all agents have the same knowledge or strive as the next. Some agents specialize in listing, buying, commercial, industrial, foreclosures, market shares, etc… Interview and shop your local agents just like you would a mortgage lender or your next potential home. Until ...
The Housing Market Heats Up as More Americans Return to Work
July 16, 2020
I've noticed in the Birmingham, Alabama housing market, homes are selling fast, especially foreclosures - often with multiple offers and above list-price offers - real estate agents are working extra hard. Below is an article about the nationwide housing market and employment: After a rough spring, the economy is looking up this summer, as nearly 5 million ...
Buying a Bank Owned Property in 2020 is Very Different From 2008
July 15, 2020
Buying a Bank Owned Property in 2020 is Very Different From 2008By Sandra C Brown GRI Broker/Owner Dream Catcher Realty For many years prior to 2008, the bank who made the loan on the house foreclosed on it if the buyer defaulted. The same bank also sold the foreclosure property on the open market. ...
The Difference Between Home Warranty & Home Insurance
July 15, 2020
When purchasing a new home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on home insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.Home ...
Home Design This Summer
July 15, 2020
Bright sunshine, warmer days, and a ton of new trends come with the change in season, and this summer certainly won’t disappoint. In the real estate world, these new trends revolve around the latest and greatest in wall colors and decorations, space savers, and creative living arrangements. We have our eye on a few interesting home décor ...
Interest rates still on the LOW!
July 15, 2020
While Covid-19 rates are continuing to increase, one of the benefits succeeding consist of lower interest rates on mortgages. This being said, mortgage lenders are altering their rates and regulations as a result of COVID-19. If you’re in the market for a mortgage, now is the best time to lock in. As mortgage rates are changing daily, overall ...
I want to sell my home, but I have a pet!
July 15, 2020
There’s no doubt our pets play an important role in our homes. They wait for us to come home after a long day, protect our property, and are there to comfort us when things go wrong. They truly are part of the family. But if you’re trying to sell your home, your four-legged friend could add to ...
Protecting Your Credit During the COVID-19 Crisis
July 15, 2020
WHEN A CRISIS HITS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES AS BEST YOU CAN AND MONITOR YOUR CREDIT.Due to the hardship caused by COVID-19, all U.S. consumers can get free weekly online credit reports now through April 20, 2021 from TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax by visiting annualcreditreport.com.As the coronavirus outbreak continues ...
Bidding Wars Continue to Heat Up
July 15, 2020
Bidding Wars Continue to Heat UpDon’t let your home buyers be caught off guard: They’re likely to face steep competition for the home they want. With a limited number of homes for sale and strong buyer demand, bidding wars are growing more commonplace.Sixty percent of real estate agents reported bidding wars were on the rise in ...
Does Your Home Have What Buyers Are Looking For?
July 14, 2020
There’s great opportunity for today’s homeowners to sell their houses and make a move, yet due to the impact of the ongoing health crisis, some sellers are taking their time coming back to the market. According to Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research at realtor.com:“Sellers continue returning to the market at a cautious ...
