What to Prepare Before Disaster Strikes
Every part of the world is susceptible to natural disaster, as we’ve seen in the USA this year. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and wildfires have affected numerous locations across the country. Learn about the types of disasters that are likely in your community and the local emergency, and shelter phone numbers, websites, and plans for […]
Top 10 Things About Your Credit
How do you build credit? Focus on the five fundamentals that determine your credit score: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. A general rule is to use credit sparingly and make payments on time. It takes years to build good credit, but it’s worthwhile to be patient. Is […]
Home Buying Mistakes to Avoid
Becoming a homeowner in Florida is one of the most exciting and potentially stressful things you can do. There’s a lot to learn and a lot to do, which can leave quite a bit of room for mistakes. The home buying process is an emotional experience that is personal for each buyer. Just remember that […]
What You’ll Need Before Applying for a Home Loan
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer in Florida, or are an empty nester ready to downsize, you’ll need to complete a lot of steps before you consider talking with a lender. There are many things you’ll need to do to get ready to buy a home. It can be overwhelming. It might sometimes feel like […]
Buying a Home? You’ll Need Insurance.
It’s overwhelming to think about the numerous types of insurance available during the home buying process. You already have so much to do between packing, scheduling movers, and closing on your home. Do you really have to jump through more hoops? Unfortunately, yes. No sensible car owner would drive without insurance, so it figures that […]
Are You Ready for Disaster?
No one wants them to happen, but disasters can occur anywhere at any time—especially during hurricane season and wildfire season. To endure an already stressful situation a little more easily, you should prepare not only an emergency kit, but also an evacuation plan for your family. No matter whether you need to evacuate or shelter […]
All About Closing Costs
Closing costs are expenses over and above the price of the property in real estate transactions. They are basically a collection of administrative fees. Closing costs can include: Loan origination fees Discount points Appraisal fees Title searches Title insurance Surveys Taxes Deed-recording fees Credit report charges Before you sign your loan documents, you should have seen […]
How to Survive Buying a House¶
Preparation¶ You’ll probably start entertaining the idea of looking for a home years before you’re totally financially prepared. It can be daunting, but it will give you a better idea of what you want, like a master suite, basement, or garage apartment. Using online mortgage calculators you’ll also be able to get a rough idea […]
Best Home Improvements to Add Value to Your Home
Many home improvement projects don’t add value to your home, especially in a down market. In fact, some improvements can even detract from the asking price when you decide to sell. On the other hand, some projects can add significant value to your home. So which home improvement projects should you invest in, and which […]
What’s the Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval?
Unfortunately, without proper preparation, many buyers get lulled into the mistaken notion that if a lender pre-qualifies them for a mortgage, it means that they have been pre-approved for the home loan. There’s a world of difference between these two terms. If you’ve ever been confused by the two, this will explain how they differ, […]