The Tax Bill and The Mortgage Interest Deduction
January 15, 2018
While we always want to see changes in the market and governmental policy that make homeownership more attractive, the changes to the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) in the recent tax bill probably (hopefully) won't negatively impact the majority of homeowners. What are the changes and how do they impact you? The MID will be capped ...
Which Down Payment Strategy is Right For You?
January 15, 2018
WHICH DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?You’ve most likely heard the rule - save for a 20% down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20% is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It can also help you get favorable rates ...
7 Things No One Tells First Time Home Buyers
January 15, 2018
First time home buyers are told many things. Parents exclaim “Save your money!” while friends say “Location, location, location!” Reasonable advice, for sure, but there are other elements of home buying that many first time home buyers aren’t told. Below are some of these elements that are often overlooked but are useful to ...
FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again
January 12, 2018
According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Report, the average FICO® Score on all closed loans dropped to 722 which is its lowest mark since April. The average includes all approved refinance and purchase loans.FHA and VA loans showed the most opportunity for millennials looking to enter the market with low down payments and even lower FICO® Score ...
7 Perfect Kitchen Upgrades for a New Look Without Remodeling
January 12, 2018
Kitchen renovations require time and money, taking several months to complete and costing tens of thousands of dollars. If you don't have the financial resources for a full-on renovation, there are a variety of ways you can give your kitchen a new look for a lot less. From refacing cabinets to replacing lighting, a few cosmetic tweaks can ...
Ways to Save Energy Around the Home
January 11, 2018
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What Are Popular Home Renovations Worth in 2018?
January 11, 2018
Popular Home Renovations Worth in 2018Home renovations have historically been a great way to increase home value, but things may be changing. According to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report”, in 2018 return on investment for an average renovation is only 56%. Over the previous two years similar renovations would have returned 64% of their ...
Winter Home Checklist!
January 11, 2018
WinterDecemberInspect, and possibly change out HVAC filtersClean kitchen sink disposalClean range hood filterInspect your fire extinguisher(s)JanuaryInspect, and possibly change out HVAC filtersClean kitchen sink disposalClean range hood filtersInspect your fire extinguisher(s)FebruaryInspect, and possibly change out HVAC filtersClean kitchen sink disposalClean range hood filtersInspect your fire extinguisher(s)QuarterlyTest smoke/carbon monoxide detectorsTest garage door auto-reverse featureRun water and flush toilets in unused ...
What You Need to Know About Radon
January 11, 2018
January 11, 2018, 2017 | The Boone Crew, Master Brokers | 828-726-9180When purchasing a home a radon test should be administered. Many buyers have never heard of radon but based on the chart below it is something that needs to be evaluated before purchase. ...
MM Realty Mining for gold
January 10, 2018
Mining for GoldPosted on January 10, 2018 Mining for Gold Real estate and gold have a lot in common. They are both highly desired tangibles that hedge inflation, and usually appreciate. If you are looking to make an investment, the name of the game is buying low and selling high. If you are looking to invest in ...
Small Home Benefits
January 10, 2018
There are tons of online “how much mortgage can I afford” calculators, but what if instead we analyzed how much mortgage we really need? The small home trend is growing. Here are a few benefits of owning a smaller home:Cost – This should be the biggest perk of buying or building a smaller home. Less ...
Impact of the New 2018 Tax Law on Real Estate
January 09, 2018
See link below on 1031 Exchange updates to tax lawhttp://1031-exchange-news.com/20121221/...
10 Fun Ways to Shake Things Up for 2018!
January 09, 2018
What are you doing new this year? There's something in the new year air that makes you want to change things up - do something different, something fun. Have you started making plans for this year? Are your goals set? One of the reasons many people abandon their New Year's resolutions before the ...
Busted Pipes
January 09, 2018
5 Tricks to Keep Your Pipes from Exploding Ideally you should winterize your pipes in the fall but if you have forgotten and in the middle of a deep freeze there is still time to prevent disaster:#1) Turn on your faucets. If the temperatures have dropped into freezing and intent to stay there, turning on your faucets both indoors ...
What do I need to do to buy a house?
January 08, 2018
What do I need to do to buy a house? I get this a lot from prospective home buyers and it’s a great question that I wish more people would ask me! I have outlined a quick summary of the seven main steps to making your homeownership dreams come true! Step 1: Get pre-qualified with a local ...
Pros and Cons of Buying a Distressed Property
January 08, 2018
Prospective homebuyers are always looking for a bargain price but, typically, when a property can be snapped up for a low price there’s a reason. Most often, a house with a drastically reduced price will be on the market as a short sale because the owners are hoping to avoid a foreclosure or because the ...
Winter home safety
January 08, 2018
Winter Safety tip.Happy New Year to everyone out there. We sincerely hope that 2018 brings health, happiness andprosperity to you and yours.Since this is the beginning of the new year, this is a good time to take a breather and check a few thingsthat will keep you safe throughout the remaining winter months.The most obvious but ...
Fashionable home design trends in 2018
January 05, 2018
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How Much Is My FHA Home Loan Down Payment?
January 04, 2018
How Much Is My FHA Home Loan Down Payment?What is my FHA home loan down payment? It’s an important question to ask as early as possible in the home loan planning process.You will need to save up for an FHA loan down payment and there are a few variables that will factor in when it comes ...
INCREASED LOAN LIMITS FOR 2018 FHA LOANS!
January 04, 2018
INCREASED LOAN LIMITS FOR 2018 FHA LOANSOn December 7, 2017, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a new set of FHA loan limits for 2018. As we predicted in a previous blog post, the limits are being increased for 2018, due to significant home-price gains that occurred over the last year or so. These maximum loan amounts ...
How To Prevent Home Mold Growth In Winter
January 04, 2018
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How To Prevent Home Mold Growth In Winter
January 04, 2018
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Reliable Tactics For When the Appraisal is Low
January 04, 2018
RELIABLE TACTICS FOR WHEN THE APPRAISAL IS LOWFew things in the home buying process are more frustrating than having your offer accepted, only to have the appraisal fall below your offer. But all is not lost! If the appraisal comes in below your offer, there are several tactics and strategies that can lead to a happy solution.Get a ...
5 Tips for first Time Home Buyers
January 04, 2018
5 Tips for First Time Home BuyersThe average age for first-time home buyers in the U.S. is around 33, a relatively young age for such a big life choice. That said, buying your first home at any age can be a stressful and time-consuming experience.Luckily, there are a few crucial pointers that will help make the journey ...
Higher FHA Loan Limits For 2018
January 03, 2018
The FHA has announced FHA loan limits for 2018, and the new numbers mean good news for those looking to buy a home in the new year. The “national conforming loan limit” for 2018 is set at $453,100, up from last year’s limit of $424,100 (see below). The higher limit means more potential borrowing power ...
