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2
Demand for Pet Friendly Rentals on the Rise
Findings from a recent Apartments.com survey reveal it is more likely renters could be living next door to a pet owner compared to recent years. This year, 75 percent of renters surveyed said they are pet owners, compared to 43 percent in 2012. These findings align with the improving U.S. economy, according to an American Veterinary Medical Association survey released last year; the difficult economy played a very strong role in the first decline in pet ownership since 1991. Half of the pet-loving renters surveyed by Apartments.com would like to believe their fellow apartment residents also adore their four-legged companions. Fortunately, it turns out they are not far off, as nearly 60 percent of renters who do not own pets said they still enjoy living around others with pets. While nearly 65 percent of the pet owners surveyed said they live in a two-bedroom apartment or larger, many indicated they were ambivalent to the size of their space when choosing a pet. In fact, more than 75 p...
11
New Home or Old Home?
With the market picking back up, there is a resurgence in new home communities across the country. If you're in the market for a home, you may be asking yourself the question, new home, or old home? Each home variety-pre-existing and new construction-has its own set of pros and cons. Below, Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes takes us through a variety of things to consider when selecting a home that best fits your needs. Old "One of the biggest reasons people buy older homes is because they have a lot of character," explains Litzner. They are unique, and have quirks (crown molding, built-in shelves, well preserved hardwood) that are easy to fall in love with. There is also an abundance of different types of old homes to choose from, and each will be unlike the other, as opposed to newly constructed homes, which can stick to a "cookie cutter" format. Additionally, an already established home comes in an esta...
11
Home Buying Blunders to Avoid
Whether you're purchasing your first home or your third home, there are several mistakes that can cause serious trouble with your purchase. Avoid the following missteps to help smooth the searching and buying process.
1. Not using an agent
Many people try to cut costs when looking for a new home. However, a real estate agent is a professional, skilled at searching and price negotiating. They also have access to the MLS, and know the area you're trying to buy in. "The money you spend on hiring an agent will come back to you, both in the form of a more pleasant buying experience, and in landing a better price," says Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes.
2. Not getting a property inspection
"It's vital that you insist on having your future home inspected by a prof... 27
4 Ways to Impress Your Lender
Lending is tight, and with the way the market is moving, it may be getting even tighter. But that doesn't mean your dreams of that three bedroom colonial should be dashed to pieces. According to Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes, it just means you need to impress your lender. Below are Litzner's top tips:
Maintain job security. "If possible, you should stay at your current job while building up your credit and zeroing in on that mortgage," says Litzner. Your lender will want to analyze your work history, and make sure you are reliable and have a steady stream of income. If you know you need to switch jobs soon, put off your home purchase until you are securely in your new position.
Fluff your credit. Your...
9
Price, Proximity to Work and Design Are Key Concerns for Home Buyers
Price and proximity to work are key concerns for first-time home buyers, while trade-up buyers tend to be most focused on the design of the home and the neighborhood, according to "Characteristics of Home Buyers," an analysis of the recently released 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The biennial survey, which is conducted in odd-numbered years by the Census Bureau, covers about 6.8 million home sales that occurred in 2009 and 2010. NAHB's analysis additionally compares the homes that buyers purchased with what they say they want using results from "What Home Buyers Really Want," a new consumer
preference survey published by the association.
"Among first-time home buyers, price was the most frequently cited reason for selecting a particular house, with a 38 percent share. At 30 percent, pro...