Coldwell Banker American Homes Blog
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24
Preparing Yourself for Closing
(MCT)--The challenging part of the closing process is perusing the transactional documents that indicate whether or not you are getting the deal you believe you negotiated or were promised.
This is the most challenging part of the process because the stakes are high, and the time pressures severe. The transactional documents that define the terms of the deal are subject to change as the transaction moves toward closing, but it is only the final set of documents that matter. In the typical case, the first disclosure is sent before the borrower's property is appraised, and before the loan terms (interest rate and points) are locked. This usually results in a second disclosure following receipt of the appraisal, a third disclosure when the loan is locked, and sometimes a fourth disclosure if the loan terms change for some other... 22
The Best Home Investment: A Wood Deck
(BPT)-As the seasons turn, more homeowners look for projects that not only make their homes more livable, but also offer great return on investment. With demand high across the country for outdoor spaces that bring the comforts of the indoors outside, there's no surprise that decks are one of the top remodeling projects for 2014.
In fact, a residential wood deck addition has a recouped cost of 87.4 percent, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, the second highest ROI midrange project only behind an entry door replacement. That means adding a deck to your property will increase your livable space so you can enjoy the outdoors more, and you can rest easy knowing you're boosting the value of your home investment.
If you think you'd like to add a wood deck to your home, you might wonder about th... 17
8 Ways to Ensure the Home Buying Experience Runs Smoothly
(MCT)---Selling a home is stressful. A little give-and-take between buyers and sellers is normal, but some buyers push the envelope, as well as the sellers' buttons. Here are eight ways that will keep your home buying experience smooth.
1. DON'T: Skip appointments.
For sellers, "The No. 1 complaint is not showing up after you've set an appointment," says Mark Ramsey, a broker in Charlotte, N.C.
To prepare for a showing, a smart seller spends time clearing up clutter and making the home shine, then grabs the kids and/or pets and vacates for a few hours so buyers can tour in peace.
Imagine how a seller feels when you announce at the last minute that you'll visit next week instead. Or you simply don't show up, without an explanation.
Bottom line: Unless you've had a truly last...
13
Ready to Move? 5 Questions You Must Ask Before Listing Your Home
Buying or selling a home is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Whether you're simply looking for a change of scenery or considering a cross country move so that you can be closer to a significant other, you'll want to ask yourself the following questions before making the decision to move-whether it's down the road or across state lines.
1. Why do I want to move? Maybe you're bored with your lifestyle and want to try living in a new place or you just need a change of scenery. But before you do something drastic, make a list of the pros and cons associated with leaving the area where you currently reside. Deciding to sell on a whim could be a decision you end up paying for long into the future, so make sure you really think about what moving means and how it will affec... 11
Top 5 Moving Mistakes
Whether moving across town or across the country, packing up and moving can be stressful, costly and full of surprises. From shady movers and inaccurate price quotes, to over-packing or not allowing enough time to get the move set up, every step of a move has the potential for mistakes that can make a move a nightmare.
These tips will help anyone preparing for a move, whether they currently live in a house, an apartment, a dorm, with friends or with mom and dad.
1. Hiring a shady mover.
We've all heard horror stories about moving scams, and perhaps maybe you've been the victim of a moving scam yourself. You can steer clear of a less-than-upstanding mover by doing your homework. The Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, your state transportation regulator and the U.S. Department of Tran...