Once of the most common questions I get in regards to real estate, is how to determine what is needed for a down payment. Years ago the golden rule was 20%, but things have changed. You can now purchase a home with as little as 3% down, and even 0% down in some cases! It all depends on the loan you qualify for.
Read MoreNegotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:
Read MoreYou’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20% down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20% is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders
But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.
Read MoreIf you are in the market now for a home, you know its tough being a buyer. There’s nothing more discouraging then putting in multiple offers to get out bid. So if this sounds like you, don’t get discouraged yet.
Read MoreWhen it comes to purchasing an investment property, there are multiple ways to do it. You can get a loan, you can use equity, or you can use cash. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to do it, it mainly depends on your goal for the purchase.
Read MoreThe market is hot right now and homes are going quick. Unfortunately for buyers, it is a sellers market. What this means is that the inventory of homes is low, but the number of buyers is high; therefore, sellers have the upper hand. If a home is desirable and priced right it is quite common to receive multiple offers. So what can you do as a buyer to win a bidding war?
Read MoreI feel like Section 8 tends to get a bad rap. The connotation with Section 8 is that you are renting low quality housing to low income tenants just to collect that government check. If you rent to Section 8 you are often perceived as a slum lord, which isn’t fair to landlords or tenants. I think the lack of education about what Section 8 really is and who qualifies for Section 8 is missing to the general public.
Read MoreWith mortgage rates at an all time low, it’s a great time to buy. What’s even better for buyers and sellers is that due to the low mortgage rates, banks can approve higher loan amounts due to the decreased monthly mortgage payments. You follow? So it’s a win-win for both parties. If this is your first time in the market, how do you know where do you start? The market is competitive right now so you’ll want to have all your ducks in a row, here’s where to start.
Read MoreWhen real estate opened back up in Williamsport after being shut down for two months, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My hope was that people who had planned on buying or selling in the spring would be eager to get back out there. But with Covid-19 and all the personal protective restrictions we now had, I wasn’t sure how comfortable people would be going into other people’s home. Not only that, but there were a lot of people laid off, so buying a home or selling at this time may no longer be an option for many.
Read MoreWhen you look at the world we live, its hard to believe sometimes that we are still dealing with bias, racism, discrimination and hate in all forms. It can be easy to turn a blind eye to our current reality- especially if it doesn’t affect you. In order to make a change, you actually have to make changes- whether it be your behavior, actions, or words. Small steps can lead monumental movements.
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