By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-09-01 08:57:14
Homebuyer incentives can be smart marketing or a waste of money. Find out when and how to use them.
Incentives such as a new grill out on the patio can set your home apart from the competition. Image: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
Be sure you’re sending the right message to buyers when you throw in a homebuyer incentive to encourage them to purchase your home.
Your first home purchase is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Here are some tips to limit the trauma and help you find the home of your dreams the first time around.
The most important step in selecting a home is knowing how much you can spend. If you already use an electronic budgeting system, you’re ahead of the game. If not, track your expenses for the past several months to a year. Try to quantify the “gray areas” of cash withdrawals that disappear on small purchases. Now add up your current rent and other related expenses. If you’ve been saving money toward your down payment, note that, as well. Finally, ask yourself where you can tighten your belt with your existing discretionary purchases. This is the maximum amount you could pay per month. Now ask yourself if this is reasonable, given your current savings and possible expenses. Only you know the answer to that. When you’ve arrived at a comfortable number, write it down, and save your calculations. You’ll take this to the bank when you apply for loan preapproval. For now, you have an estimated payment you can use while shopping online.
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By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-02-10 09:46:23
Be sure you’re walking away with all the money you’re entitled to from the sale of your home
When you’re ready to close on the sale of your home and move to your new home, you may be so close to the finish line that you coast, thinking there’s nothing left for you to do. Not so fast. It’s easy to waste a few dollars here and for mistakes to creep into your closing documents there, all adding up to a bundle of lost profit. Spot money-losing problems with these seven tips.
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By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-02-10 11:12:47
Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time.
Many buyers today want move-in-ready homes and will quickly eliminate an otherwise great home by focusing on a few visible flaws. Unless your home shines, you may endure showing after showing and open house after open house—and end up with a lower sales price. Before the first prospect walks through your door, consider some smart options for casting your home in its best light.
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By: Marcie Geffner
Published 2010-06-10 09:53:36
Consider before you ignore or outright refuse a very low purchase offer for your home. A counteroffer and negotiation could turn that low purchase offer into a sale.
When you receive a low offer on your house, the best response is to counter with a price you’re willing to accept.
You just received a purchase offer from someone who wants to buy your home. You’re excited and relieved, until you realize the purchase offer is much lower than your asking price. How should you respond? Set aside your emotions, focus on the facts, and prepare a counteroffer that keeps the buyers involved in the deal. Continue reading
By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-03-11 16:56:17
When you’re evaluating how much home you can afford, make sure you factor in the tax advantages of homeownership.
Owning your home not only allows you to build wealth through appreciation, but it can also reduce the amount of income tax you pay every year.
Here are seven tax benefits for homeowners.
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By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-02-10 11:24:53
By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home.
Most potential homebuyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase.
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By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-03-11 16:55:18
By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.
Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget.
Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals.
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