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Tag: mortgage

How To Save Money For A Down Payment

If you’re shopping for a home, then you know just how big of an obstacle the down payment can be. With conventional loans requiring down payments typically in the 10-20% range, in a high-priced market like Southern California, just securing enough money to guarantee funding can seem insurmountable. That’s why it’s crucial that you start saving for a down payment well in advance of your home search. Whether you’re starting to shop right now or

Preparing For A Mortgage Loan Application: What You Need To Know

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

6 Tips For Staging A Home For Buyers  

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

The Importance Of A Home Inspection

  With all of the moving parts involved in a real estate transaction – and their related costs – home buyers are sometimes tempted to forego their right to certain steps meant to protect them. Unfortunately, because a home inspection adds additional cost and a longer wait, buyers sometimes think that the inspection can be skipped – after all, the seller told you everything was in order, right? Skipping the home inspection can be one

Should You Make An Offer Above Asking Price?

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

4 Tips To Keep Your Home Search Organized

When you’re searching for a home, you have a lot of information to keep track of. You’ll need documentation for your mortgage, information about each house you are considering, and the accumulated paperwork that you’ll eventually need for closing. Losing track of just one necessary item can delay any progress you’ve made towards taking possession of your new home. Luckily, some easy organization techniques can help you keep your relevant information together and will make

4 Tips To Keep Your Home Search Organized

When you’re searching for a home, you have a lot of information to keep track of. You’ll need documentation for your mortgage, information about each house you are considering, and the accumulated paperwork that you’ll eventually need for closing. Losing track of just one necessary item can delay any progress you’ve made towards taking possession of your new home. Luckily, some easy organization techniques can help you keep your relevant information together and will make

What To Expect When Buying Your First Home

If you’ve decided to embark on the path towards homeownership, congratulations! Now it’s time to get to work understanding what you are in for. Qualify For Financing You’ll have to finance your home, so if you need a mortgage, make sure your credit and financial situation will be appealing to lenders. Before you start looking at properties, get pre-approved with a lender, which will tell you – and sellers – how much house you can

To Own Or To Rent

Particularly for millennials, the question of whether to own or to rent a home presents a conundrum. Home ownership has long offered stability and a chance to recoup your investment while renting lets landlords take on the burden of repairs and allows for easier moves. So, which is better? As with most real estate concerns, it depends on your situation and location. How Long Do You Want To Stay? If you’re planning on living somewhere

From First Home To Forever Home: Why Building Equity Matters

Do you plan to sell your current home someday in order to upgrade? Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you have some experience, building equity on your current home is what can move you into your forever dream home. Equity is the value of the property that you own, so think of it as your home’s worth after accounting for your mortgage principal. As an example, the average price for a home in Riverside