Blog
3 Helpful Things All Homebuyers Should Know
For most Americans, buying a house is the single biggest purchase we will ever make. While most people like to believe they know something about real estate or their local real estate market, very few actually do. With that being said, there are a few things all homebuy...
Home History: Closing the Deal or Killing the Sale?
Films about creaking homes with mysterious pasts are fun to watch on screen, but what about when it becomes a reality in a home you are thinking about buying? How does that make you feel about the property? Studies have shown that buyers aren’t likely to pay the askin...
What’s Refunded If My Loan Is Higher Than My Estimate?
If the amount you pay at closing exceeds the amounts disclosed on the Loan Estimate - beyond tolerance limits for each category - the creditor must refund the excess to you no later than 60 calendar days after loan consummation.
Charges subject...
How To Submit A Title Insurance Claim
If you have an owner’s title insurance policy with a title company, the hope is that you’ll never have to use it. However, in the case of a title defect or other claim that jeopardizes your homeownership, it’s good to know the basic process of how your title insur...
Non-Negotiables for Home Buyers
When purchasing a new home, it can be difficult to get just the right “deal” you and your family are looking for. And if you’re a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed as you try to keep track of your agenda as well as your needs in a future home.
How Do I Evaluate An Offer?
There’s more to an offer than the price tag. There are a few factors you should consider:
Is this offer at, near or above my asking price?
Are there clauses and additions in their offer that change the terms and final price substantially?
How to Prepare Your Kids When Moving
Come moving time, your head may be spinning over the long to-do list you’ve created in preparation for making the transition into a new home. But having kids during this major change can provide its own challenges aside from packing their things. So what can you do to...
Do Fruit Trees Add Resale Value To A Property?
In Florida, there’s a wide variety of fruit trees that can grow almost effortlessly in homeowner’s backyards. Oranges, lemons, mangos, and even starfruit are just a few of the more common fruits these trees can produce. But as for whether these trees can add resale ...
What Is Prime?
No, we're not talking about Amazon Prime. In the context of real estate, the Prime Lending Rate - sometimes just called “Prime” - is the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans. Some consumer rates - like ARMs - are set in relation to Prim...
Should You Escrow Your Property Taxes?
For many new homebuyers, escrow of property taxes can be a confusing topic. Some wonder if they need to do it. Others may be unsure how their property taxes actually get paid. Escrowing your property taxes is actually a very simple concept and a common way to pay your p...