Posts in category 'Real Estate Blogs'
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18
How Much Should New Homeowners Set Aside for Repairs?
Owning a home comes with its fair share of expenses, including mortgage and insurance payments and maintenance costs, but how much can a new homeowner reasonably expect to spend on unexpected repairs?
"My recommendation for homeowners is to take a few simple precautions before moving into their home," says Marianne Cusato, HomeAdvisor.com. "Complete a sewer inspection, check that the insurance policy covers water damage, and set money aside for home emergency projects. Homeowners should plan on spending 1 percent of their home's purchase price on repairs and emergencies each year."
According to HomeAdvisor.com data, more than half of homeowners encountered unexpected home projects within the first year of owning a home. More than half also spent more time on projects than originally anticipated, and less t...
14
7 Ways to Wow Buyers with Outdoor Staging
As one of the busier times of year for real estate activity, summertime is ideal for sellers hoping to unload their homes for top dollar. If your home is on the market this summer, stand out from the pack with these outdoor staging tips, courtesy of the experts at Point2.com.
10
Housing's Looking Up, Americans Say
With more Americans preferring to buy instead of rent and others believing now is a good time to sell, housing is right on track with forecasted improvements this year, a Fannie Mae survey recently reported.
Based on the survey, a growing number of Americans say now is a good time to buy a house, climbing back up to 66 percent. The amount of Americans who believe it is a good time to sell also increased, surpassing a survey record.
"Things are looking up for housing," says Fannie Mae Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Doug Duncan. "Those saying it is a good time to sell a house hit a survey high of 49 percent. Also, the percentage of consumers telling us their household income is significantly higher than 12 months ago grew six percentage points to 28 percent over the past two months."
Additionally,...
8
Considering home improvements? Out-of-the-ordinary upgrades can enhance livability and value
(BPT) - Perhaps your home is in pretty good shape - newish roof, well-maintained furnace and air-conditioning, and fresh paint throughout. Or maybe you've bought a brand-new house that's move-in ready. Even though you don't really need to do a thing to the home, you may still have the urge to update. But what can you do when everything is already just about perfect?
Engaging in some out-of-the-ordinary upgrades can enhance a home's livability, your enjoyment of it and - in some cases - its resale value down the road. Before you settle on an upgrade, ask yourself these key questions:
* Will it improve the home's livability?
* Will it improve the healthfulness or security of the home environment?
* Is it a special feature that appeals to your lifestyle?
* How difficult/easy will it be to maintain?
* Does it...
4
Step One in the Mortgage Process: Review Credit
If you are considering buying a home, understanding your credit report and score is the first step toward obtaining financing for your purchase. According to a recent TransUnion report, a majority of would-be homebuyers remain misinformed about the mortgage process, including the factors dependent on credit scores and steps to improve credit before buying.
"Leading up to a home purchase is a particularly important time to check and understand your credit score, as it affects lending rates and mortgage terms," explains Ken Chaplin, SVP at TransUnion. "We recommend prospective home buyers begin regularly checking their score at least three months before securing a mortgage in order to maximize their potential for the best financing options."
Per the report, half of potential homebuyers correctly id...