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Tag: own a home

Business

You CAN Become a Homeowner—Taking Fear and Anxiety Out of Homeownership

Are your dreams of owning a home overshadowed by fear—fear of not qualifying for a loan – fear of not having a sufficient down payment, or fear you’ll be house-poor once you purchase the home? If you allow your fears to run wild, you could think of a gazillion reasons to be afraid of home ownership, but none of them would be valid. The truth of the matter is with the right guidance, tools, and

Business

Buying A Home In A Higher Trending Interest Rate Market

There is still good news despite currently being in a higher interest rate market. And that is that we’re still at levels that are historically low overall. Therefore, if you’re not buying a home with cash, you probably want to know if you can afford a home when interest rates are rising. Without a doubt, there is a lot more than interest rates to factor in when buying a home – location, structural condition, and

Lending

Preparing To Buy Your First Home

So you have decided to buy your first home, right? Congratulations. Just like so many other people, you have reached the point in your life at which buying your own home becomes one of the most reasonable decision to make. So what do you do next after deciding to buy your dream home? There are steps to be taken before you do anything else. These are boxes you should tick if you’re really ready to

How To Get A Loan As A First Time Home Buyer

Buying your first home is full of excitement. You can probably already envision enjoying sunny days in your Southern California backyard and the changes you’ll make to turn the house into your home. But before you can start packing, you’ll need to figure out a way to pay for that home. As a first-time buyer, it’s in your best interest to find as much trustworthy help as possible when shopping for a home. This will

Essential Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent

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

5 Quick Renovations That Will Improve Your Home’s Value

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

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

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