Finding the perfect home may involve some compromises, but with our help, we'll work with you to get as close as possible to your ideal home. Please take a minute by answering the following questions. Your feedback will provide information we can use to simplify your property search and save you time. If there are any details that aren't addressed in the questions, please feel free to add them.  GENERAL...

GATHER FINANCIALS Request your credit report from all 3 credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion). Fix any errors. Compile necessary documents, including pay stubs, bank statements, and past tax returns. RESEARCH MORTGAGES Find out if you qualify for a special loan, such as a VA, FHA or HUD homebuying program. Request quotes from multiple lenders and comparison shop for loans. If you...

Credit for map to home ownership given to market leader and referenced sources. Map was taken directly from their site as a good tool for home...

Don’t go on a spending spree using credit if you are thinking about buying a home, or in the process of buying a new home. Your mortgage pre-approval is subject to a final evaluation of your financial situation. Every $100 you pay per month on a credit payment could cost you about $10,000 in home eligibility. For example, a car payment of $300/month could mean that you qualify for $30,000 less in a...

When reading an offer, keep in mind that you are out to get the best price AND the best terms for you. If you focus solely on the price, you may overlook terms that could be favorable to you as a seller. Some terms that may work in your favor: higher-than-market-interest in a second mortgage for your home the buyer will pay for most or all of the closing costs the buyer will take care of any...

Sellers should understand that when you list a home at a price based on comps that weren’t sold “as is,” or “fixer-uppers,” buyers expect the condition of the property to be pretty close to perfect. The home’s curb appeal should be maximized. Its interior should be clean, uncluttered, and as spacious looking as possible. Things that “aren’t quite right” need to be fixed. Plus, there are...

Buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It’s important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there. Before you can build a plan of action,...

It's Time to Cozy Up in the Cold! And save money on energy, too.  With winter season approaching fast, don't let energy bills skyrocket. Here are a few steps you can take to get your home safe and ready for the season, and save money on energy, too: Clean the Chimney. Even if you only use your fireplace a few times a year, an annual pre-season chimney sweep is extremely important. When wood is...

Mortgage Bankers. Mortgage Bankers are lenders that are large enough to originate loans and create pools of loans, which are then sold directly to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, jumbo loan investors, and others. Any company that does this is considered to be a mortgage banker. Some companies don’t sell directly to those major investors, but sell their loans to the mortgage bankers. They often...

FSBO (pronounced fizz-bo), or For Sale By Owner, is a way of selling your home without the use of a professional real estate agent or broker. The idea behind FSBO is that by selling your home yourself, you save the approximate 6% that would be the agents’ commission. 6% may not sound like a lot, but it can add up, especially on more expensive homes. But before you run off and decide to sell your home...