Tag: sell

Spring Into Action: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal With Expert Guidance

To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the market for a while, that’s a sign it may not be hitting the mark for potential buyers.

Prioritizing Your Wants And Needs As A Homebuyer In Today’s Market

There’s no denying mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, this may be top of mind for you. That’s because those higher rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. As you set out to make a purchase this winter, you’ll need to be strategic so you can find a home that meets your needs and budget.

Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation. In today’s real estate market, many homeowners have far more equity in their homes than they realize due to the home price appreciation we’ve seen over the past few years.

What Are Mortgage Points? Upfront Fees That Could Save You Money

The interest rate your mortgage lender offers you when you buy or refinance a house is not necessarily the rate you have to stick with. In fact, you can lower your mortgage rate by shelling out at closing for something called mortgage points. But what are they and how can they save you some serious cash (like, thousands of dollars over the years you make monthly payments)? Read on for the answers from loan experts.

7 Easy, Effective, And Inexpensive Ways To Stage Your Home

Getting top dollar for your home means making it look its best. Sure, you may need to invest some time and money to make a few repairs or repaint some walls. However, once those chores are finished, you can turn your attention to staging steps that don’t have to put a significant dent in your budget—and can easily be accomplished in tandem with your moving plans. After all, moving means packing. When you’re ready to start boxing things up, use these tips to think like an interior designer. Decide what goes, what stays, and how to maximize your staging efforts.

What Is a Mortgage Note—and Do You Know Where Yours Is?

Also known as a promissory note or deed of trust note, it’s the basic loan contract given to you by your lender—the document you signed on the dotted line to make your deal official. A mortgage note is an important piece of paperwork to keep in your files for a variety of reasons. Here’s a rundown of what’s on this document, and why it matters.

What Is a Property Title Search? Why It Matters for Buyers and Sellers

The property title search is generally done after an offer to purchase real estate has been accepted, says David Zawadzki, senior account executive at Proper Title. Multiple sources are searched, including deeds, county land records, tax liens on the federal or state level, divorce cases, bankruptcy court records, and other financial judgments against an owner that could potentially attach to a property.

What Is A Contingent Offer? What It Means When Buying A Home

A contingent offer means that an offer on a new home has been made and the seller has accepted it, but that the final sale is contingent upon certain criteria that have to be met. These criteria, or types of contingencies, are clauses in a sales contract that typically fall under three major categories: appraisal, home inspection, and mortgage approval. Such contingencies are mainly put in place so that buyers can back out of a real estate sale if something goes wrong, usually without losing their earnest money deposit. A seller might entertain other offers after a refusal, but won’t deal with another buyer until the contingent offer is settled in one way or another.

Home Maintenance Tips To Do Throughout The Year

Just as each season brings new weather, with it comes a different list of chores to take on. Here are some great tips to follow all year long to keep your home running like a well-oiled machine.

What’s Actually Happening With Home Prices Today?