When you’re preparing to buy a house, you want trusted advisors on your side. That’s when a real estate agent becomes essential. A buyer’s agent will work as your advocate throughout the purchasing process. They will represent your interests when it comes time to make an offer and negotiate, and they will be able to advise you on the right steps to take should there be any questions about a property. But because your agent
Are you seeking out a deal in the booming Southern California real estate market? If so, you may have come across listings marked as “short sale.” But what exactly is a short sale? Put simply, it’s when a property is sold for less than the outstanding mortgage on it. In theory, a short sale sounds like a simple choice – who doesn’t want to get a bargain deal – but in reality, the process of
For first-time buyers, the entire process of purchasing a home can feel overwhelming. And it is! But luckily for first-timers, there are loan programs available designed to make this process easier when it comes to financing your home. Some specialized loan programs come with specific requirements, while others are open to anyone who qualifies. And the best part? Some of these programs will help you get into a home with no money down. For most
When you’re applying for a mortgage, you need to provide your income information – including W-2s and paystubs. But what if you’re self-employed? Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed is entirely possible, although you may be on the hook for more paperwork to prove your income. However, there are also factors in self-employment that may work against you, so it’s crucial that you are prepared to present yourself to lenders in the best light. These
Everyone has something they wish they could have as part of their home. An indoor pool? Yes, please. A bat cave? Well – maybe. For most people, renovating a property will come down to need. When something doesn’t work anymore or is too outdated, it’s time to spruce it up. In these cases, renovations are adding value to your property because anyone else who lived there would need the same work. However, when you start
One of the most critical steps in the home buying process is securing financing. Rare are those who can pay in cash for real estate in Orange County, so for most people, this early step is finding a mortgage. You’ll need to submit an application to a lender, so you know what amount, rates, and terms you qualify for. If you’ve never filled out a mortgage application before, these are some ways to prepare. The
Part of due diligence when buying a home is verifying a clear title. When there are issues with a property’s title, buyers can run into trouble down the road because of other claims to ownership, money owed, and even minor lot line issues. While you will likely purchase title insurance when buying a home, it’s still important to know about title searches so that you understand the process. Getting any issues resolved quickly will help
When you’re selling your home, it’s crucial to make it as presentable to buyers as possible. Your goal is to allow buyers to see themselves in your home, so you don’t want to overdo your staging, and instead, keep it minimal and neutral. If you hope to sell your home faster and at your asking price, try these six tips when staging your home for buyers. Clean Everything If you don’t or can’t spend too
It’s no secret that the Southern California real estate remains hot. The median sales price in Orange County in October 2017 was $786,000 – so why would anyone ever offer more than an already high price? Particularly in active markets, bidding wars can get heated, and in order to win without compromising contingencies or other protections, buyers often make offers above ask. But it’s important to tread carefully when considering how much you should offer
The prospect of purchasing your own home can be one of the most exciting times of your life – until you see how much you’ll need for a down payment, that is. Add in closing costs – for real estate in Riverside, Orange, or Los Angeles County you could be looking at 1% of your loan, or more – and the upfront burden may be overwhelming. Most conventional loans require between 3-20% down, with your
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