Tag Archives: buying a home

Family Home, Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Organization

How to Reduce Stress Before, During, and After Moving

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A family sitting near unpacked boxes in their home.

Moving into a new house is exciting – and, like most major life events, incredibly stressful. You have to pack, clean, and hire movers, all on a timeline and budget.

According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, 64% of respondents consider their latest relocation one of the most challenging experiences they have ever had.

Moving comes with many different parts: planning, budgeting, and figuring out how to get your precious belongings into your new home. While procrastinating may be tempting, you can take a few simple steps to make your move less stressful.

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Health & Safety, Homeowners, Real Estate

The Psychological Impact of Homeownership

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A couple happily standing in front of their home, signifying the benefits of homeownership.

Homeownership is a significant milestone in many people’s lives.

It signifies financial stability, independence, and the start of a new chapter.

The journey towards homeownership, however, can be filled with challenges and uncertainties.

Let us delve into the intricate interplay between owning a home and the human psyche.

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Home Buyers, Investors, Real Estate

RESPA- What Should You Know Before Buying a House?

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A blue book with "RESPA" on the cover.

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was enacted in 1975. The federal statute was introduced to stop malpractice and restrict the usage of escrow accounts in the real estate settlement process.

Who regulates RESPA?

Once RESPA became effective in 1975, it was under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) jurisdiction. Ever since its inception, the Act has undergone several amendments and changes. However, after 2011, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau monitored RESPA due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection legislation.

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Real Estate

What to Know About Contract Contingencies

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A realtor and buyer talking about the real estate contract and contingencies to include.

There are many steps to purchasing a new home. After the initial offer is made, buyers and sellers often negotiate before they come to an agreement. Buyers then deposit earnest money to show they are serious about the purchase, and both parties begin the closing process.

However, a lot of things can go wrong between signing the contract and closing on a house. To protect buyers, several types of contract contingencies may be included in the contract. These allow the buyer to legally back out of the sale if necessary.

Many home contract contingencies are accepted by sellers, but some may weaken offers on a home. Here are four common types of home contract contingencies and how to tell which ones may be right for you.

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

Can I Buy a Home After Filing for Bankruptcy?

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a man with a gavel symbolizing a final decision on bankruptcy.

Going bankrupt is one of the most distressing things that can happen to a person. Some of the common causes of bankruptcy include burdening medical expenses, job losses, excessive spending on credit, divorce or separation, and heavy expenses due to unforeseen events.

All of these can be quite taxing on your mental and physical health, as well as your financial outlook. On top of that, you may also be worried that you won’t be able to buy a home for yourself and your family anymore, which is an added burden. This article covers everything you need to know about buying a home after filing for bankruptcy.

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Home Buyers

Buying a Home on Active Duty

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Buying a home while on active duty may seem like an impossible process as many military families never know where they will be transferred next. So the most reasonable thing to do is to rent, of course. However, buying a home while on active duty does come with some benefits, too – it is an excellent investment for retirement, and it is a great real estate purchase for renting in the future, providing you with some extra cash. Therefore, if you have made up your mind and are looking for some tips for buying a home on active duty, you are in the right place. Keep on reading to find out more. 

Do Not Buy For Today; Buy For Tomorrow 

Many military families who opt for buying a home instead of renting tend to buy ‘for today.’ That is, they buy a home that suits only their current needs. Later on, if they decide for the family to stay in a different location once retirement is on the horizon, they have to move and look for a completely new home.

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

The Ultimate Moving Checklist: Post-Move

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You’ve finally got all of your belongings into your new home, but don’t lose steam now! You’re in the final stretch of your new home checklist and there’s just a couple more essentials to get through. It’s a good idea to set a daily (or weekly) goal for yourself when it comes to these final steps. Be realistic, stick to your schedule, and you’ll be settled in before you know it.

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Home Buyers, Homeowners

Budgeting Tips for Millennials Looking to Buy a Home

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Buying your first home can feel like one of adulthood’s true markers and a dream come true. For today’s millennials, however, that dream may seem daunting, especially when they consider the other financial responsibilities that people their age commonly face. Student loans, credit card debt, and a higher cost of goods are all obstacles to becoming a homeowner today.

But with planning and hard work, millennials can get on the path to buying a house of their own. Here are some expert tips for maximizing dollars and ensuring that homeownership is a reality for every generation.

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

Buy-and-Hold or Fix-and-Flip…What’s the Right Investment for You?

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When it comes to real estate investing, is it better to buy-and-hold or fix-and-flip? The answer depends on your investment goals, your personal preferences, and your local market. Let’s looks at each strategy and figure out which is the better fit for you.

What is Buy-and-Hold?

Buy-and-hold is when you purchase an investment property for the long-term. Most investors start with a single-family home or small multi-family property (2-4 units).

You simply find a property where the rent will exceed all your expenses (as a general rule of thumb, investors like to see the monthly rent be more than 1% of the purchase price), then find reliable renters for the property.

The rents collected will pay down your mortgage debt, pay all your investment-related expenses (like taxes, insurance, and maintenance), and put money in your pocket every month for decades to come!

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Home Buyers, Real Estate, Uncategorized

Financing Basics for First-Time Home Buyers

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The world of mortgage financing can be a little overwhelming for first-time home buyers.  

The good news is that there are professionals to guide you through the process of qualifying for a home loan. Lenders are happy to educate buyers on the different mortgage options. You just need to know a few basics so you can have a productive conversation with your lender.   

Here are finance basics for first-time buyers:

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