Posts from December 5th, 2019

Buying a house is one of the biggest parts of the American dream, but that doesn't mean you have to wait for it your whole life. If you take the right steps, you can start on the path to homeownership right now.

Each step builds on the last, and you'll learn more about your needs and challenges as you go. If you run into something you need to reassess, advice is a call or email away. Real estate agents help first-time buyers like you every day.

Here's how to get off to a good start when buying a house:

1. Work on Building Your Credit
   Strengthening your credit can help you get a better interest rate on your mortgage and may save you thousands of dollars. Aim to pay off (but not close!) any high-interest credit accounts you may have. Don't start on any new financial obligations, such as a car loan.

No one wants to be the victim of a burglary. By knowing more about how they go about choosing a target and what they're looking for, you can decrease your chances of becoming a victim.

The following are five things a burglar doesn't want you to know:

1. They May Look Familiar
   Burglars often live within two miles of their victims, so you may actually recognize their faces. People who live close to you can easily take note of your routines, such as when you leave for and return from work.
   
   ​​​​​​​You may also recognize a burglar from a recent encounter at your home. Home improvement service or delivery people can leave a window unlocked so they can return later to burglarize your home.
   
   Tip: Check your window locks frequently and look for easy ways to vary your routi...

Most homebuyers know that they're shopping for a neighborhood in addition to a home, which means in a roundabout way that they're also shopping for neighbors. Savvy buyers understand that neighbors can make a big difference in the quality of life--for better or worse--and they'll definitely be scouting the neighbors while they check out your home. Understanding how troublesome neighbors can impact your home sale will ultimately make it easier to navigate the obstacles that those neighbors present, and get your home sold.

• The Jungle Next Door
  With all of the work that you do to prep your home for sale both indoors and outside when selling your home, a poorly maintained property next door can ruin the aesthetic. If the yard next door is overgrown, with a tall, tangled lawn and shrubs intruding in every direction, buye...

You know that selling a home doesn't just happen overnight. Unfortunately, there are many instances in which you do need to sell it as quickly as possible. Whether relocating for work or for family, you may have no choice but expedite the process so that you can meet your relocation deadline. Follow this step-by-step guide to make this transition as smooth as possible.

• Seek Assistance
  A sudden need to relocate can make you feel overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends and family members. One of your best resources and advocates will be a trusted real estate agent who knows how to handle fast home sales. Find an experienced agent that has a history of helping other sellers in similar situations — you'll need to rely on them for more than you realize.
• Contact Your New Employer
  If...

The ability to get around without a car can really make a neighborhood feel like home. Not to mention walking is good exercise, relaxing, convenient, economical and better for the environment. With all those benefits, it's no wonder living in a walkable neighborhood is something homebuyers really want. Here's what to do when buying a house in a walkable neighborhood.

• Do some research.
  There are websites that can give you some general insight into a neighborhood and you can read comments and ratings from people that actually live there. Although the true walkability of the neighborhood may be difficult to determine by using only online information, you can use other information about the neighborhood to help determine if it's walkable enough to consider buying a house there. How many people live in the neighborhood, what kinds...