Posts in category 'Buyers'

I've been thinking a lot about space lately. Not the Elon Musk kind of space, but the general space that we occupy. I've been ruminating on both personal space (Are you a close talker?) as well as the space in our homes and workplaces. How much space do you need or want? Does lots of space make you uncomfortable? Do confined spaces make you squirm? Today I want to talk a bit about space both in our homes as well as our own personal space. I think you'll see how they sync up pretty well.

I'm a bit of an introvert. While I love spending time with my friends, in general I prefer to not be in a large crowd and truly detest being in a room full of people I don't know. Stick me at a poker table with 6 or 7 of my good friends and I'm the happiest guy in the room. My roommate and I frequently land in our living room (sans TV)...

Click Here to Read More...

I have often lauded the benefits of buying a fixer-upper. I love the potential they offer and the ability to (in many cases) get a "deal" on the property. The value and equity coming from your investment in the repairs that need to be made. Another benefit is the ability to upgrade or fix those things in the manner that you specifically desire. This is an area of discussion we often have with sellers. Do they make the repairs themselves or leave it as-is and let the buyers personalize the home however they desire. Of course there's a lot that goes into that discussion and loads of factors that can sway you either way.

Today I want to focus on a few items that buyers should be wary of when evaluating a fixer-upper. In many of these cases, the sellers would be very well served to fix these issues prior to...

Click Here to Read More...

To whom do you go for advice? Are you fortunate enough that it is still your mom? (Thanks, mom!) Do you have that one awesome relative you lean on for advice, answers, tough-love? (Thanks, Lib!) Or is it a long-term friendship that fosters immediate reconnection whenever you two reach out? (Thanks, Kerri!) Most of us have someone that is our rock. It's the person that knows us and "gets" us. To those people, I encourage you to reach out today and let them know how much they mean to you. Just a quick note is truly all it takes.

I kicked off with that sentiment today because I'm itching to have a long-overdue conversation with my awesome cousin, Libby. I'm embarking on a new adventure in 2020 and she is the one who is the steady voice of reason and always injects some perspective that I had not seen before. And since this is...

Click Here to Read More...

Congratulations! You've found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You're undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new home, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any big-time life changes, consult your loan officer – someone who will be able to tell you how your decisions will impact your home loan.

Below is a list of Things You Shouldn't Do After Applying for a Mortgage. Some may seem obvious, but some may not.

1. Don't Change Jobs or the Way You Are Paid at Your Job. Your loan officer must be able to track the source and amount of your annual income. If possible, you'll want to avoid changing from salary to commission or becoming self-employed during this time as well.

2. Don't Deposit Cash into Your Bank...

Click Here to Read More...

I'm finally at a point where (I think) I am ready to dip my toe back in the real estate world. Much like the first time I did this, I'm heavily leaning towards an investment property. All that really means (to me) is I'm not buying this property to simply live in and call "home". The idea behind an investment property is it affords you a myriad of options beyond simply being a place to hang your hat. As someone who does not have a lot of "extra" income, it is important to approach this strategically. Today, I'd like to explore a few of the benefits to this path. Come on along!

While there are loads of varying factors to the actual financing of your purchase, in general, the rates are still very low. I have to chuckle when I hear people complain that the rates are creeping bac...

Click Here to Read More...