Posts in category 'Buying'
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June Is National Homeownership Month… but What if Homeownership Feels Out of Reach?
Did you know that June is National Homeownership Month?
Probably not. Most people aren't exactly putting it on the calendar, taking time off work, or gathering friends to celebrate the concept of owning real estate.
For some people, it might actually feel like something worth celebrating. Maybe they already own a home, remember how hard they worked to buy it, and still feel a little spark of pride every time they pull into the driveway.
But for anyone who doesn't own a home yet, it might be hard to get all that excited...
30
If You Think You Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home, You Might Be Ready to Buy Sooner Than You Think
Imagine you had to become a real estate agent tomorrow and help someone buy a house from start to finish. Think you'd know everything you need to know?
Even if you feel pretty confident, there's a good chance you'd run into a bit of a learning curve. There are a lot of moving parts in a real estate transaction, and most of what people know about the process tends to come from bits and pieces they pick up along the way.
So it's not all that surprising that, according to a recent survey from HousingWire,
15
Been Dreaming About Becoming a House Flipper? Here's Why Now Might Be Your Best Chance.
Flipping houses for a profit is one of those ideas that feels exciting the moment it pops into your head. On TV it looks fun—even when things go wrong, the disasters usually get wrapped up in a neat 60-minute storyline with a big reveal and a happy ending. It's easy to see why so many people daydream about doing it.
But it isn't just television that makes flipping sound enticing. Real estate has always carried a certain appeal for people who want to invest in something solid and tangible. At the same time, once you start thinking a...
8
66% of Buyers Think They Need "Perfect" Credit to Buy a House… Here's the Reality
One of the more nerve-wracking parts of even thinking about buying a house for many potential buyers is the concern that their credit score isn't good enough. It's no surprise, because you hear plenty of things about how important a strong credit score is when it comes time to buy a house.
Unfortunately, when you hear that term thrown around, it might sound like you need a perfect credit score
25
5 Hidden Costs of House Hunting—Sneaky Little Expenses You Didn't See Coming (But Totally Will)
When most people think about buying a home, they focus on the big checks they have to write, like down payments, closing costs, and inspections. But there are also some sneaky little expenses that sneak up on you when you're in the midst of house-hunting chaos!
Don't worry, they aren't going to impact your mortgage pre-approval like buying a new car or paying for a vacation on your credit card would. (And they would…so don't!) They're just some little extra costs that add up more than you might think they will!
Here are 6 hidden expenses you might want to throw a few bucks at when budgeting for your home search:
1) Coffee
The quest for the perfect home is a marathon, not a sprint. You need fuel—and by "fuel," we mean lattes, mochas, and the occasional 20-ounce iced coffee just to get you through the endless stream of showings, open houses, and car rides through neighborhoods you wish you could afford.
2) New Socks
It's easy to live with scuzzy socks and even ignore the occasional toe peeking through. But that changes the moment you're asked to take your shoes off at a showing. Suddenly, every hole and stretched-out heel becomes glaringly obvious.
3) Fast Food
You might plan on making a healthy dinner… but then the home of your dreams hits the market at 10AM and offers are due by 8PM. (Yeah, houses can sell that fast…) Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to cram some food down without having to cook it.
4) Impulse HomeGoods Purchases
You told yourself you'd wait until you actually owned a home before buying any décor. And yet… here you are, walking out of HomeGoods with a cart full of "neutral but cozy" throw pillows, a trendy vase you swear will go somewhere.
5) Gas
It's not just the fuel you'll burn speeding to see a new listing before another buyer beats you to it. It's the spontaneous detours you take to check out a yard sign you spot on a side street, only to find out it's a campaign sign for a local politician—not a new listing.
It's the dozens of drive-bys past a house you've made an offer on, and are now emotionally stalking while waiting for the seller to respond. And of course the neighborhood reconnaissance missions, complete with unplanned routes, U-turns, and "just one more loop around the block" moments.
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