The Low Down on Property Auctions

Although property auctions are usually more up the alley of a seasoned real estate investor, you too can be a player in the property auctioning game. Acquiring property at an auction is certainly more risky than the traditional method, but if you’re willing to take a chance, you could end up getting a great deal on a house. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying real estate at auction.

The Downside of Property Auctions

While some great deals can be had at auction, there sure is a lot of homework to be done. Not all property… Continue reading

What NOT to do When Purchasing a Home

What NOT to do…

Buying a home can be quite the process, which is why it’s so important to hire a real estate agent to guide you through the transaction. But even with the help of a Realtor, there are things you must avoid doing as a buyer that would get in the way of a deal. Your job as a buyer is to make sure you don’t hinder your own success by making one of the common mistakes made by aspiring homeowners everywhere. Take a look at what NOT to do:

Don’t buy a car… or make any other… Continue reading

Caldwell Veterans Garden

Ribbon Cutting on April 24thGarden offers safe rehabilitation place for disabled veterans in Caldwell – Idaho Press Tribune http://ow.ly/wbvM4

CALDWELL — When a seed is planted in a garden — with a little help — it grows. What was once a hard-shelled seed splits open, allowing something greater within to sprout.

On Thursday, the city of Caldwell and the Caldwell Board of Realtors planted a seed in the form of the Caldwell Disabled Veterans Garden.

The official ribbon cutting took place at the garden, which aims to use gardening therapeutically and as a form of physical rehabilitation.

“This is really beneficial for veterans,” said… Continue reading

Preparing to Buy a Home

As a renter, you’re essentially making mortgage payments for a property you’ll never own. Why not put that money towards something that at the end of the day is yours? Be prepared to make the switch from being a renter to becoming a homeowner and enjoy the sense of pride and tax benefits that come along with it!

preparing

Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a huge factor in determining what kind of loan you’ll be qualified for. If you know you have mistakes on your credit history, now is the time to get them fixed. Former bankruptcy, foreclosure, and… Continue reading

Advice for Sellers: Your House is Center Stage

Shakespeare once wrote “All the world’s a stage” and we believe the house to be at the center of it. By the time your open house visitors make an entrance, have each room staged in such a way that is designed to make the buyer feel right at home. When you’ve decided to sell your house, your best bet is to try and appeal to the widest range of buyers possible so they can picture it as their own. Make it easy for visitors to visualize their furniture in the space by calling in a home staging professional or attempting… Continue reading

Pre-Sale Home Inspection

 You’ve most likely heard of the home inspection… but have you ever heard of the pre-sale home inspection? That’s right. Home Inspections are not just for home buyers, they’re for home sellers too. We regularly suggest the idea of a pre-sale home inspection to home sellers for the sake of a smoother transaction.

Home Inspections for Sellers

Know Beforehand

Knowing what repairs need to be made before putting your house for sale on the market is an advantage in two ways: it can help you determine what the asking price should be, based on its condition. Being well informed can also give you… Continue reading

What to Expect When Home Inspecting

 During the process of buying a home, it is in your best interest to hire a professional home inspector to analyze the home’s condition. This is one of the most important steps in the home buying process as buying a home is one of, if not the biggest purchases you’ll ever make.

We understand emotions run high when it comes to that dream house you’ve always wanted and think you’ve found, but think again about what problems could be lurking under the surface. Do you really want to inherit a family of rodents or a few million insects along… Continue reading

Home Improvements That Pay You Back

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10 Steps to Buying a Home

10 Steps to Buying a Home

 

1. Preliminary Research

 

Use a mortgage calculator to find out how much house you can afford. A mortgage calculator will factor in your monthly income, expenses and outstanding debts, along with the amount of your down payment, loan term and interest rate to figure the affordable home amount. Calculating will give you an idea of what your price range will be when shopping for a home. During your preliminary research is also a good time to review your credit and fix mistakes, if any.

 

Contact a Realtor or real estate agent… Continue reading

Pre-qualified vs. Pre-approved

 

The Difference between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved

Before buying a home, you’ll need to review your credit in order to be eligible for a home mortgage loan. Clean up any negative marks against you by investing in a service that will file a dispute with the credit bureaus on your behalf. Investing in a credit restoration will save you money down the road and also open up home mortgage loan options you may not have qualified for previously.

Prequalified and Preapproved for a Home Loan

What is a Pre-Qualification?

During a pre-qualification consultation, you’ll provide the mortgage lender with a snapshot of your current financial… Continue reading