CURB APPEAL
Curb appeal is an often overworked term when it comes to selling a home, but a house that is prepared successfully will sell faster and for a greater value than the one that appears run down and in need of work. Just like dressing up for a fancy dinner, the same applies to a home when getting it ready to sell. That’s not to say that a complete facelift needs to be done In order to bring a good price. I
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
...You can get an estimate of closing costs within three days of applying for a mortgage loan? If you get them from several lenders you may find that closing costs vary from lender to lender.
...A quality home exterior paint job lasts from 6 to 8 years? Bright colors may fade faster and need more frequent painting.
..At least 6 inches of insulation in the attic and under floors is recommended? Weather
IS IT CONDO TIME FOR YOU?
If you have been living in a house, but the children have long since left the nest and you no longer need all that space, you may be ready for a condominium or townhouse.
Condominium living, for example, gives you the advantages of home ownership including tax deductions, but without all the upkeep of a home and yard.
Some condominiums also have recreational areas that are shared by the condo owners,
IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE
Whether you live in an apartment or in a house that no longer meets your needs, buying an affordable new house can improve your quality of life. Home ownership has many advantages, not only in the sense of privacy and security it can give you. It also has the tangible advantages of more and better living space in a community where you and your family will enjoy living.
If you’ve been domiciled in a
HOW NOT TO SET SELLING PRICE
Some homeowners have strange techniques for setting a market price on their homes. Here is one of the strangest:
A couple was anxious to sell their home and retire to the Sunbelt. They established a minimum income they would need to live comfortably, which included renting a vacation home up north during the summers. Once this figure was determined, they set a price on their house that together with
HOUSE HUNTING ADVICE
A house is the most important purchase most families ever make. Yet, many people go house hunting in a remarkably casual way and sometimes end up making costly mistakes. Some pointers:
Shop the market. Look at old houses and new ones in a wide range of prices — not just in the price you expect to spend. This information will be valuable when you narrow your search.
Make sure you choose the best location
SETTING SELLING PRICE
How do you set the selling price of your home? Probably the most dangerous way is to do it yourself. The asking price is, by far, the most important part of the selling process. You need expert input.
At most agencies, they offer a comparative market analysis to help evaluate your property. In doing this market analysis, they walk through your house with you, often making suggestions about selling
DOWN PAYMENT AFFECTS LOAN
The size of the down payment can directly affect the buyers borrowing power. If the loans is being made by a bank that will sel1 the mortgage on the secondary market to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the borrower who puts 20% down will usually be allowed to devote up to 28% of the gross, pre-tax monthly income toward housing expenses.
Borrowers with 10% down can usually put just 25% of gross income toward
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