16 Tips for Relocating to a New Town
June 10, 2020
Moving is always hard work but moving to a new town can be exceptionally hard, even when you are excited about your next chapter in life. As your real estate agent, I can refer you to an agent in your new town to help you find your new home, and also give you referrals for other services you will ...
Home-Buying FAQ: Your Top Questions About Purchasing Property During the Coronavirus Pandemic
June 10, 2020
By Margaret Heidenry The coronavirus pandemic has thrown millions of people's financial plans off the rails, and that certainly includes home buying. If you were hoping to purchase a property soon, you no doubt have a lot of questions—about whether it's possible to buy or tour a house now, COVID-19's impact on home prices, and ...
Family activities during a pandemic
June 10, 2020
With so many normal businesses closed, or operating at less than capacity, many families are home more and looking for activities they can do while socially distancing. Here are a list of summer fun activities the whole family will enjoy:Park hopping - make a bucket list of all your local parks. Playgrounds may still be off limits, ...
Selling your home during COVID-19: Is it a good time to sell?
June 05, 2020
The common question is "Is it a good time to sell a property given the current situation?"Homelight recommends listing your home as soon as possible if you are planning to sell your property within the next 24 months. If the economy comes to a significant decline, it will be more challenging to sell your home in ...
Mortgage rates are at historic lows — but the coronavirus pandemic is making homes less affordable for buyers
June 05, 2020
Published: June 4, 2020 at 10:48 a.m. ETBy Jacob PassyYoung home-buyers are at an especial disadvantage in today’s housing marketThere’s never been a cheaper time to get a mortgage for most Americans, but finding a home you can afford is whole other ball game entirely.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to an average of 3.18% ...
How to Improve Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage
June 04, 2020
If you own a home, you need to have adequate homeowners insurance coverage. Nearly all mortgage lenders require it as part of the conditions for issuing a home loan anyway. However, as time goes on, you may find that you want to make certain changes to your homeowners insurance to create a better plan. Here are four ways in ...
Budgeting And Saving For Your First FHA Mortgage
June 03, 2020
When you decide to commit to buying a home or building one from the ground up using a one-time close construction loan, there are expenses you will need to save up for.If you haven’t started making a checklist of items you will need to pay for up front or choose to include in the loan amount, it’...
How to Host a Virtual Garage Sale During a Pandemic
June 01, 2020
Summer is usually garage sale season, but the coronavirus may have you thinking twice. Even if communities start opening up, many people won't feel safe visiting your yard or garage to check out your wares.But that doesn’t mean the idea of a garage sale can't happen at all. It may just mean that it's ...
REPEAT HOMEBUYERS
June 01, 2020
You have a choice in a home loan. Make it a Great Choice.As a state agency, THDA created the Great Choice Home Loan program to make homeownership available and affordable for first-time homebuyers, but repeat homebuyers can participate if you meet any of the following qualifications:Have not lived in a home you own for at least three ...
5 Tips For Selling Your Home During The Coronavirus Pandemic
May 19, 2020
Tara MastroeniLife is changing incredibly fast during the coronavirus pandemic and many industries are following suit, including real estate. While some sellers are deciding to pull their homes off the market and try to sell at a different time, that may not be an option for everyone.With that in mind, if you are trying to sell your home ...
Housing Market Positioned to Bring Back the Economy
May 19, 2020
Housing Market Positioned to Bring Back the EconomyAll eyes are on the American economy. As it goes, so does the world economy. With states beginning to reopen, the question becomes: which sectors of the economy will drive its recovery? There seems to be a growing consensus that the housing market is positioned to be that driving force, the ...
Prices increase, inventory tight through April
May 18, 2020
Prices increase, inventory tight through AprilCredit goes to South Carolina Association of Realtors: Sharon Delia Stone...
Protecting Your Credit During the COVID-19 Crisis
May 18, 2020
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 to evolve, your credit might be the last thing on your mind. During times of emergencies though, such as global pandemics or ...
4 Tips That'll Make Working From Home Tolerable
May 16, 2020
4 Tips That'll Make Working From Home Tolerable Nicole TownsendPhoto: FilippoBacci/iStockThere’s absolutely no doubt that staying home and reducing the spread of coronavirus is paramount right now, but let me be the first to admit that finding a balanced routine while working from home has been a bit complicated.This pandemic has taken things away from us ...
What to Do If You Get a Robocall
May 15, 2020
Few things can be more annoying than answering the phone while you're in the middle of something — and then being greeted by a recording.If you receive a robocall trying to sell you something (and you haven’t given the caller your written permission), it’s an illegal call. You should hang up. Then, file a complaint ...
Lending may tighten up!
May 15, 2020
Lending may tighten up! I am not normally a doom and gloom kind of guy. But, this virus pandemic has created a lot of discomfort and difficulty for many people around the world. My heart goes out to everyone that has been affected. While some effects can be seen, others are yet to be felt. Home loan lending is ...
Buying During the Virus By Sandra C Brown, Broker, GRI
May 15, 2020
Buying a home just got more difficult. By sandra C Brown, GRI Broker/Owner Dream Catcher RealtyOur office uses three main lenders for buyers. In the past 60 days we have talked with most of them 2 to 3 times a week. This is summary of some of our talks. 1) Just because you were ...
Everything You Need to Do Before Moving Into a New House
May 15, 2020
Buying a new home is exciting, but keeping track of all the things to do before moving in is a chore. While it’s easy to put the new place on the back burner when packing, completing a few projects in the house while it’s still empty can save you a lot of headaches in the future.Keep ...
Steps To Take To Sell Your Home Safely During the COVID-19 Crisis
May 14, 2020
Selling a home can be a headache. It often takes longer and costs more than you think, and it can be an emotional drain. That’s in normal times. Selling a home during a pandemic will add a slew of new safety concerns to the mix.But even during the COVID-19 crisis, real estate transactions are moving forward. ...
What to Know About Credit Scores
May 14, 2020
Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:Your payment history.Did you pay your credit card bills on time? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also affect your history. How much you owe and where. If you owe a great deal of money ...
Will the Housing Market Turn Around This Year?
May 14, 2020
Today, many people are asking themselves if they should buy or sell a home in 2020. Some have shifted their plans or put them on hold over the past couple of months, and understandably so. Everyone seems to be wondering if the market is going to change and when the economy will turn around. If you’re trying to ...
Popular Attractions in the Triangle of NC!
May 13, 2020
Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill lie in the heart of NC and offer many opportunities for residents and travelers. Here are some places you don't want to miss if you're thinking of relocating or just taking a weekend trip:Durham Performing Arts Center - the largest performing arts center in NC that hosts tons of artists and ...
CAN I BUY OR SELL A HOUSE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC?
May 12, 2020
Barbara MarquandAs spring homebuying season approached this year, Mike and Tammy York of Lompoc, California, listed their house for sale and started looking for a home to buy in Bakersfield, California, where they want to retire.But then the coronavirus outbreak called everything into question. When the governor of California issued a statewide stay-at-home order March 19, the Yorks ...
Ready to Sell?
May 11, 2020
It’s the time of year that we start thinking of changes out with the old and in with the new. One of those changes you may be considering is selling your home. You may ask if your home is ready to sell? Here are a few tips to spruce up your house for the market....
How to Handle Home Improvements
May 11, 2020
Ways to Save on Home Renovations1. Take on one manageable project at a time.When you look around at the outdated countertops, stained carpets or mismatched fixtures in your home, it can feel like an overwhelming swirl of things to do. But instead of maxing out credit cards on a huge reno—and instead of sitting around feeling discontent—...
