Blog

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may feel overwhelmed by all the terminology you hear during the process. Here are some of the terms you are likely to hear. Listings: Real estate agents frequently refer to homes for sale as “listings.” A “listing” on a website shows information about the home, like the price and number of bedrooms. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): This is an evaluation of comparable recently sold homes in a neighborhood (known as “comps”) to determine a fair price range for a certain home on the market. Dual agency: Dual agency occurs when the listing agent selling a home…

It’s not a bad time to be a home buyer. Just don’t think the odds will be on your side indefinitely. Mortgage standards, such as credit score requirements, have started to loosen, and mortgage rates remain low. Although it is a seller’s market in many parts of the country, many sellers realize that today’s buyers are more conservative and will not overpay. Still, if you are planning to buy, act quickly. The housing market is expected to heat up in coming months and rates will eventually rise — believe it or not. You may have heard that it’s hard to…

Exclusive Buyer’s Agents give buyers their undivided loyalty. Most real estate agents and buyer’s agents work in traditional brokerages that take listings. Because of that, they have an inventory that they must sell. In addition, if that brokerage brings both the buyer and the seller into the transaction, they get to keep the entire commission, making the transaction more profitable. These can be strong incentives to steer a buyer to one of their own listings. It also means that their buyer loses many of the benefits of hiring a real estate agent including negotiating on his…

For many a foreign national, the United States has always been a great place to invest in. Buying Real Estate in the United States does not give foreign owners any rights or privileges regarding legal stay or status. If you’re interested in staying in the states longer than allowed by a standard visa, contact an immigration lawyer. By determining the primary use for your property and how long you plan to own it, you’ll be able to provide information to your real estate agent that will help guide the search and sale. How will you use the Property? Before you start your…

Checklist for HVAC Maintenance Here’s an easy, doable preventative maintenance plan to keep your HVAC in top shape. It’s a good idea to hire a HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the unit, which is bit more challenging for the average homeowner. But you can prolong the life and increase the efficiency of your system if you follow this simple maintenance plan: Some things you should do immediately; other tasks only need to be done seasonally or once a year….

Because the builder’s agent’s job is to convince you to buy only their homes at the highest price. Your Buyer Agent’s job is to even the odds and negotiate for the lowest price and best terms for YOU! It is foolish for a home buyer to enter into a new construction contract without an Exclusive Buyer Agent. The advantages are many; aside from the obvious ones. The fact that having buyer agent representation is often FREE cannot be repeated often enough. So too, should the misconception that not using a buyer’s agent will save money be constantly repeated –…

The home mortgage industry can be confusing. Rates, points, caps—there’s a lot to take in. Take some time to educate yourself about the process—and be aware of the big missteps home buyers often make. Thinking Too Big Banks qualify their customers on their “debt-to-income ratios.” Simply, that’s the ratio of how much money you make vs. the money you owe to other institutions. Banks don’t take into account other expenses like your weekend entertainment and the tuition to your children’s school. Ask yourself, what goes into your budget every month? List it all out—restaurants, car payments, taxes, insurance, cable, cell phone, gym…

One of the first questions I get when reviewing an Offer to Purchase or Real Estate contract with a Buyer is “ What is Title Insurance” and “Why do I need it?” These are great questions and ones every savvy (or even bewildered) home buyer should be asking. Title insurance is normally purchased at the same time as you buy your home. Unlike other types of insurance, your title insurance policy, for a one-time premium paid at closing, provides protection to you and your heirs for as long as you own your house. Also unlike other types of insurance,…

AVONDALE, Ariz., Jun 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) — Over the last several months, the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) has seen an increase in the number of real estate agents claiming to be Exclusive Buyer Agents in spite of working within a company that takes listings or even taking listings themselves. Per the industry definition, an Exclusive Buyer Agent never works with sellers and works within a company that does not take listings. Because an Exclusive Buyer Agent has no inventory to sell, they can work as a true advocate for the buyer regardless…