At first mention, the word “wallpaper” is enough to make most people cringe. Memories of nauseating florals and bold stripes come flooding back, and the dizzying thought of putting it up or pulling it down is enough to make your head spin. But technological advances with...
For buyers, heading to open houses is exciting. It’s the ultimate in window-shopping! But watch any buyer fling open the front door to a house full of carpet and you’ll quickly seen their enthusiasm wane. Buyers want wood floors! They’re easier to keep clean, look...
No party involved wants to reach the appraisal process only to watch the entire deal crumble. In the case of a sale that risks falling apart after a lower-than-expected appraisal, a rebuttal letter may come to the rescue – if executed correctly. Several sources cited in...
CreditSmart was created with new and existing borrowers in mind, offering an online portal where they can learn more about building personal credit, creating a robust savings account, and making all around better financial choices based on their personal situations. Christina Diaz Malone, VP of corporate...
Don’t have a room with a view? Make one with plants! Plants are the perfect way to beautify interior space. They’re inexpensive, easy to obtain and provide instant gratification. All it takes is a little imagination to transform a lackluster room into a striking design...
As Earth Day, April 22nd approaches, it reminds us that we reside on a living planet that requires nurturing care—just like a business. Americans have grown increasingly eco-conscious and supportive of conservation efforts, providing real estate professionals a platform to brand themselves “eco” by integrating...
If you’ve ever slipped up and said “Freddie Mae” or “Fannie Mac,” you may have been onto something. As reported in the Los Angeles Times earlier this month, we may be looking at the beginning of the end for the two giants of mortgage financing. Edward...
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...
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...