Friday, December 16, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Purchase price is important, but it is not the only factor when buying a home. Consider the following “costs” when choosing a place to live.
COST OF TRAVEL
Your home is your starting point for everywhere you go. How much time does it take to get to work? Where is the nearest grocery store? How long does it take you to reach other places you want and need to go? If you drive, add fuel costs and travel time to your considerations. Are public transit options nearby? Can you walk or bike to your destination?
COST OF INSURANCE
Insurance helps protect your property when something bad happens. Homeowners insurance is a good start: It typically covers certain types of damage to your home, your belongings, liability, and expenses if displaced. Consider additional policies based on where you live. Do you need flood or earthquake insurance?
COST OF LIVING THERE
The expenses don’t end after you move in. Some properties may have more costly utilities and upkeep. If your prop; ...
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Friday, December 9, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Are you ready to purchase a home but want to avoid paying the hefty downpayment? I will show you how you can buy a property without having 20% down.
While cash and the stock market can be volatile in recessions, real estate is considered one of the safest investments historically.
With so many investment opportunities out there, more and more people are putting their money into real estate rather than focusing on saving up. But did you know you can invest in real estate without a massive down payment?
Here are FOUR excellent choices for home loans that you may qualify for:
Option 1: FHA MORTGAGE
If you're struggling to get loan approval or have credit challenges, then the Federal Housing Administration's 3.5% down payment option may be just the loan for you. This loan is especially popular with first-time home buyers.
Option 2: VA LOAN (no money down loan)
The VA loan is designed to help active-duty members, veterans, and surviving spouses secure th; ...
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Friday, December 2, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Putting your home on the market is exciting. It can be nerve-wracking, too. How do you sort through all the decisions and options? Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
IS IT WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY?
Before you update your 1970s bathroom, know that you may not recoup all your remodeling costs when you sell. Some remodeling choices actually make it harder to sell a home, such as materials on their way out of style. Other upgrades may be necessary to attract any reasonable offers at all. Additional factors are the condition of nearby homes for sale, the price range of the home, and how much current conditions lean toward a buyer’s or seller’s market.
WHAT HELPS EVERY HOME
No matter the size, age, price, or location of your home, it pays to make sure it’s clean, uncluttered, attractive, and free from minor nuisances. New paint and a few plants go a long way to making a positive first impression. On the other hand, sticking doors, an overgrown lawn, or drippa ...
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Friday, November 25, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Have you heard these crazy things about the real estate market right now? Things like…
• The market is tanking
• We're going into a housing crisis
• Now is the worst possible time to buy and sell
As your local real estate expert, I'm here to give you the real story, backed by data, on home selling or buying in our local market. Let's start with home sellers.
Is now a good time to sell a home?
This is the question many potential house sellers are pondering, especially following last year's rapid increase in home values. Most experts, including myself, think that NOW is still a good time to sell your house.
Even though the market has cooled in recent months and home prices are decelerating, it continues to be an excellent time to sell. There are several reasons, including continued buyer demand and an ongoing shortage of housing inventory, primarily due to almost 15 years of under-building homes. This won't be the case forever, though. With more homess ...
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Friday, November 18, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Buying and Selling a home is a BIG decision. You want good advice from the people you can trust. Your family and friends are the people you can trust the most, but if you’re trusting their advice with all things real estate, they may be giving you outdated or incorrect information.
A Real Estate Agent is a trusted professional who deals with real estate issues every day. I can help dispel myths that could limit your search or unduly influence one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make.
Beware of the following myths:
MYTH: YOU NEED A 20% DOWN PAYMENT
Reality: Though many buyers do put down 20% or more, first-time homebuyers paid a median 6%. There are many types of loans and programs you may qualify for to help you buy a home even if you don’t have a 20% down payment.
MYTH: YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPOTLESS CREDIT
Reality: You may be able to secure a loan even with a low credit score. There are also steps you can take to improve your credih ...
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