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Showing posts from October, 2019

5 Homebuying Acronyms You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights: Learning the lingo of homebuying is an important part of feeling successful when buying a home. From APR to P&I, you need to know the acronyms that will come up along the way, and what they mean when you hear them. Your local professionals are here to help you feel confident and informed from start to finish…and this infographic will help you as you go. source https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2019/10/04/homebuyingacronyms/?a=489394-750b3ad95b7715aa39b3f5a8d59f5d51

3 Signs the Housing Market Is on the Rebound

The residential real estate market has been plodding along for most of the year. However, three recent reports show the market may be on the verge of a rebound. The residential real estate market has been plodding along for most of the year. However, three recent reports show the market may be on the verge of a rebound: 1. Existing Home Sales (closed sales) are up, marking two consecutive months of growth. 2. Pending Home Sales (contracts signed) are up with each of the four major regions reporting both month-over-month growth and year-over-year gains in contract activity. Here is the month-over-month growth: The Northeast rose 0.7% The Midwest increased 0.6% The South increased 1.4% The West grew 3.1% 3. Buyer Traffic (the number of people shopping for a home) is up compared to the same time last year, and for the first time in 13 months . The Northeast is up 5.9% The Midwest increased 1.3% The South is up 2.7% The West grew 2.2% In their most recent report, Show

4 Tips to Improve Your Home and Save on Your Energy Bill

By making a few key upgrades to your home, you’ll save on your utility bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home. When you’re ready to sell your house, these key features will make it even more attractive to potential buyers. As a homeowner, it’s important to keep your home running efficiently, not only to save money, but also to help the environment thrive. October 2 nd is Energy Efficiency Day , a perfect time to think about making some key upgrades that will improve the efficiency of your home. If you’re looking to sell your house and increase the pool of potential buyers in your market, the upgrades below are truly a must. According with Wallet Hub , “In the U.S., energy costs eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income.” What should you spend on utilities? Money Management says, “If you’re working with a budget, and trust me, you should be, your utility costs should be no more than 8-10 percent of your monthly income.” How can you ma

What to Expect from Your Home Inspection

You made an offer and it was accepted. Your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Agents often recommend you make your offer contingent upon a clean home inspection. This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you offered for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or in some cases, walk away if challenges arise. Your agent can advise you on the best course of action once the report is filed. H o w to Choose an Inspector Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors they’ve worked with in the past to recommend to you. HGTV suggests you consider the following five areas when choosing the right home inspector for you: 1. Q ualific a tions – Find out what’s included in your inspection and if the age or location of your home may warrant specific certifications or specialties. 2. S ample Reports – Ask for a sample inspection report so you can review how thoroughly they will be inspecting your dream home. In most cases, the more detaile