Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible Under the New Tax Law?
February 01, 2019
By: Leanne PottsPublished: December 21, 2018Here's the scoop on what's tax deductible when buying a house. Are closing costs tax deductible? What about mortgage interest? Or property taxes? The answer is, maddeningly, “It depends."Basically, you'll want to itemize if you have deductions totaling more than the standard deduction, which is $12,000 ...
Preparing for a Home Inspection
February 01, 2019
We all know the stress that goes into listing your home, negotiating the contract and packing to move. Once you're under contract, you breathe a sigh of relief only to learn, (cue the horror music), the buyers have scheduled a home inspection.Inspections don’t have to be scary! Follow these simple tips and before you ...
FHA Loan Down Payment Rules For 2019
February 01, 2019
FHA home loan down payment requirements are lower than other mortgages, and depending on circumstances your down payment commitment on an FHA mortgage could be even less thanks to down payment assistance programs and seller contributions to closing costs.FHA Home Loan Small Down PaymentsElsewhere on the internet you will find writing about down payment requirements for purchasing a ...
2018 Manchester TN Real Estate Update
February 01, 2019
Sales in the Coffee County area including Manchester TN were strong in 2018. In Coffee County, 2017 ...
Mold or Mildew
February 01, 2019
Is it Mold or is it Mildew?Is it mold or is it mildew? These terms are so commonly interchanged, that most don’t know that they are different. There are certainly some similarities, but the one distinguishing difference is that mildew is simpler to combat. If your invader is mold, then you have a much more serious problem ...
First-time Homebuyer Trend for 2019
January 31, 2019
Long on the fence, first-time homebuyers are hopping into the market at levels not seen in nearly a generation.According to Genworth Mortgage Insurance, first-time buyers gobbled up 601,000 domiciles in the third quarter of 2017, a 6% year-over-year surge, accounting for a purchase-column rate not seen since the third quarter of 2000.The surge included these eye-catching ...
How To Buy in a Tight Market
January 30, 2019
Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market. Get prequalified for a mortgage.You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.Stay in close contact with your real estate agent.Your agent will be on the lookout for the newest ...
Real Estate Resolutions!
January 30, 2019
As 2018 came to a close and we have entered 2019, homeowners may look back on their year and realize now is the best time to plan and execute some new resolutions. From tidying up spaces to making plans to sell, there are many goals homeowners can choose from to accomplish for the upcoming year. Here are some ...
HOW TO AVOID DEBT WHEN SHOPPING FOR YOUR FIRST HOME
January 30, 2019
REAL ESTATE NEWS AND VIEWS FOR METROWEST MASSACHUSETTS. PUBLISHED BY BILL GASSETT RE/MAX EXECUTIVE REALTYBILL GASSETT — JANUARY 17, 2019 It can be easy to fall into debt when buying your first home, especially if you’re not financially prepared or don’t understand what each step of the home buying process looks like. Chances are, you’re ...
Programming the Thermostat
January 29, 2019
https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/save-on-utilities/programmable-thermostats/...
Top Kitchen remodel trends
January 21, 2019
Top Kitchen remodel trendsFarmhouse design continues to gain popularity in kitchen remodels. Eighty-two percent of renovating homeowners this year who are changing the style of their kitchen says they’re making it farmhouse. Farmhouse now nearly ties contemporary in popularity (14 percent versus 15 percent, respectively). Transition—a mix of tradition and modern—still remains the most popular in ...
Buying a House This Year? This Should Be Your 1st Step!
January 21, 2019
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before ...
National Association of Realtors (NAR) research department
January 18, 2019
National Association of Realtors (NAR) research department, as of 2018, millennials are the largest share of home buyers at 36 percent, with 65 percent of those also being first-time home buyers. Consider posting teasers and links to your blog content on Instagram, where 59 percent of millennials are active users....
Winter Home Check List
January 17, 2019
December☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)January☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)February☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal☐ Clean range hood filters☐Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)Quarterly☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors☐ ...
National Lender vs. Local Lender
January 15, 2019
When buying a home one of the biggest tasks to tackle first is finding a lender. The lender you choose should walk with you through the entire process of purchasing a home, much like a good Real Estate Agent should. The lender will gather information (full name, social security number, work history information, etc), gather documents (proof of income ...
What You Need to Prepare for Your 1st Home
January 15, 2019
Buying a home is a big undertaking. From finding the right property and negotiating, to sorting out the legal details and moving in, there are dozens of important steps along the way. And for many first-time buyers, it can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier, even if you’...
Emotional Intelligence and Real Estate
January 15, 2019
The following article appeared in INMAN. The original article can be found here: https://www.inman.com/2019/01/14/connect-the-speakers-marc-brackett-on-emotional-intelligence-and-real-estate/Connect the Speakers: Marc Brackett on emotional intelligence and real estateWhat you need to know about emotional intelligence and how it helps rule your worldBYINMANStaff Writer You’ve probably heard of the concept of emotional intelligence before — but if you’ve brushed ...
Clients are number 1.
January 15, 2019
1Good Morning World, We work in an industry where we are expected to be available 24/7. When I am with a client, I give them 100% of my attention never breaking eye contact, and truly listen to what they are saying, being present in the moment. They are special to me. My phone is always off ...
POST HOLIDAY DECLUTTER 101
January 15, 2019
Tip #1 Take out the trashAlways begin with the trash. You would be amazed at how much the clutter is actually trash. Take a bag and start walking around your home. Remove anything that is trash. If you are a holiday recycler, don’t forget a bag to collect any ribbons and bows you may find as you are ...
House Types In the Great Smoky Mountains of East TN
January 15, 2019
Home Types In the Great Smoky Mountains of East TN by Sandra C Brown, Broker Dream Catcher Realty The home market in the Great Smoky Mountains of East TN (Sevier, Blount, Cocke, and Jefferson Counties) is actually 3 different market types. Most owner occupant homes year round homes are not cabins and usually cost between $80,000 ...
What causes a low appraisal?
January 15, 2019
What causes a low appraisalShort appraisals are common in declining housing markets because the lack of recent comparable home sales in the area, or “comps,” make it hard for appraisers to determine the current market value of a property.When home sales slow down, good comps “age” quickly. Add foreclosures and short sales to the mix ...
Buying a House This Year! This Should Be Your First Step!
January 14, 2019
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before ...
Five facts consumers need to know
January 14, 2019
Jean McLean >>> TwitterBuying or selling a home can be complicated. For some consumers, closing costs are particularly challenging. That’s why Stephanie Gwin Gant, mortgage loan originator of Birmingham’s Silverton Mortgage, and Jessyca McKnight, qualifying broker of Birmingham-based A Prime Location Real Estate, discuss the following with their clients:Where to start. Although many buyers begin ...
5 housing takeways: What should you expect from home sales in 2019? Janna Herron, USA TODAY
January 14, 2019
Forget fevered bidding wars and snap home-buying decisions. Slower and steadier will characterize next year's housing market.That follows a 2018 that started off hot but softened into the fall as buyers – put off by high prices and few choices – sat out rather than paid up.Affordability issues will remain a top concern going ...
5 Mistakes That Can Make House Flipping a Flop
January 14, 2019
BY JAMES MCWHINNEY Updated Oct 30, 2018 It looks so easy! Buy a house, make a few cosmetic fixes, put it back on the market and make a huge profit. At any given time there are half-a-dozen shows on television where good-looking, well-dressed investors make the process look fast, fun and profitable. And plenty of homes are getting ...