Sellers revel when buyers are competing for their properties, but buyers themselves can often get disgruntled when they’re snuffed out of offer after offer. Landing the right home isn’t impossible during a competitive real estate market, however, as long as you’re aware of the circumstances you’re dealing with and come to the table prepared.
Read MoreWhether you need to pay for your child’s college education, a major home renovation, or an emergency medical expense, scraping the necessary funds together can be tough, but necessary. But if you currently own a home that you’ve been regularly putting money into via mortgage payments, you just might be able to tap into your home’s equity as a source to fund these major expenses.
Read MoreEven with a down payment as low as 3.5%, it can seem nearly impossible to scrape together thousands of dollars to put words a home purchase. It’s usually the down payment that stands in the way of many homebuyer-hopefuls’ dreams of being able to secure a mortgage. And when you factor in rent, credit card payments, student loans, and living expenses, saving up for a down payment can be even more of a challenge.
Read MoreBuying your very first home is incredibly exciting, but it can also be pretty overwhelming, especially since the entire process is completely new. But despite your limited experience in the world of buying real estate, it’s critical that you make sure you are well-informed before making any decisions that could put you in a compromising position.
Read MoreFrom the sunshine, to the warm climate, to the ocean and wine country, California’s got it all. And from a retiree’s perspective, these traits rank right up there for must-haves in a retirement locale. The hard part isn’t about whether or not California is the right state to settle in; it’s deciding which part of the Golden State to spend the Golden Years. To make this decision a little easier, here is a list of the 10 best places in California to retire.
Read MoreHome renovations are no small feat, and can put a big dent in your bank account. Considering the huge expense, you want to be sure every dollar is spent wisely throughout the renovations. Knowing exactly what to expect before the project even begins will help prepare you for the project. And to make that happen, you should start off by asking your contractor a number of critical questions before the process starts.
Read MoreThe current California housing market can be described in so many di erent ways. Right now the state is experiencing an inventory crunch, and housing a ordability is a real problem. Housing action is starting to shift inland as supply in coastal areas remains tight. But what about the people who make up the California housing market? Let’s have a closer look at the individuals who are part of the buying and selling process in California real estate for 2016.
Read MoreGetting approved for a mortgage these days is nowhere near as easy as it was before the economic debacle back in 2008. Lenders are a lot more stringent in their mortgage lending criteria, and for good reason: they don’t want to get stuck with a pile of loans in default. About one-third of all mortgage applications are denied by lenders, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. And half of refinancing applications are also rejected.
Read MorePicture yourself living in a 300 square-foot minuscule apartment, and paying the same rent price as you would for a place three times the size. That’s exactly what an increasing number of renters are doing these days just to be able to claim zip code in some of the country’s most expensive places to live.
Read MoreIf you thought finding the perfect home was the hard part of the home buying process, what until you actually have to go from offer acceptance to closing. A bunch of steps need to be taken in proper succession order to take you through escrow, one of which is a home appraisal.
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