If you’re looking to purchase a home, you have likely noticed that inventory levels are tight everywhere. This has left many interested buyers scrambling in competitive markets, and because it’s a seller’s market, prices are on the rise. In an effort to stand out from...
It would be wonderful if buying a new home were as easy as purchasing a new TV, but the transaction is complicated by nature. It’s good to be apprised of common real estate negotiations and surprises that can surface during the process. Contingencies: You can almost...
1. Accepting the buyer with the highest offer without regard to the other contractual terms. 2. Not properly handling multiple offer situations with multiple buyers. 3. Not properly handling back-up offers. 4. Entering into an agreement with no earnest money deposit from the buyer, or a very small...
If you ask experts at Fannie Mae and the National Association of Home Builders, 2013 is bound to be a great year for the mulitfamily housing sector. They are basing their assertion on already low vacancy rates and higher rents, and both groups believe that...
It’s been three months already, but Freddie Mac’s new Standard Short Sale program is starting to take shape and gain a foothold. The GSE is working tirelessly to advertise the program to the public in the hope of growing it, not to mention shed light...
A new rule that was unveiled by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) called the qualified mortgage (QM) rule was highly anticipated by consumers and lenders for the protections it provides. The most critical aspect of the new rule is the Ability-to-Repay rule, which takes...
As 2012 drew to a close, the real estate market heated up in a way that hadn’t been seen in years. In fact, Trulia conducted a survey last summer where they asked local residents how they thought home prices might rise in the area. In...
The inspection is one of the most important parts of the real estate transaction, and this is especially true if it’s your first time purchasing a home. Before you head to the home improvement store to pick-out appliances and other personal touches, make sure you...
According to a recent report by Capital Economics, homeowners with negative equity have been helped by rising home prices. Economists are hopeful that negative equity will continue to shrink in the coming months, assisting those who are underwater in their homes. The report states, “The negative...
Most people know just how important their credit score is, especially when it comes to purchasing a big ticket item like a car or house. But a new report finds that U.S. consumers are overlooking their credit reports. The report released by the Consumer Financial...