Home Buyer Info
What Are Typical Vacation Rental Expenses?
What Are Some Typical Vacation Rental Expenses? Things car really start to add up quick. Here’s a quick list of a few monthly expenses you may have to pay for if you own a vacation rental. Cable TV $50.00 Internet $50.00 Telephone $30.00 Cell Phone $55.00 Water $ 60.00 Electricity $100.00 Gas/Propane $100.00 Garbage $40.00 [...]
Freecycle Network – Give Away Your Unwanted Stuff FREE
Free Provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample Recycle To treat or process (used or waste materials) so as to make suitable for reuse: recycling paper to save trees To undergo reuse or renewal; be subject to or suitable for further use, activity, etc.: The industry will [...]
The Home Buying Process
The Home Buying Process Buying a home for the first time is exciting and can seem to be somewhat of a challenge. There are many overlapping things going on, with so many people involved. It’s all too easy to get confused about what to do next in the process. This article will explain how it [...]
Using Megan’s Law to Protect Your Child From Sex Offenders
Using Megan’s Law to Protect Your Child From Sex Offenders Whenever you are planning to move, you might want to give some consideration to the possibility that there are sex offenders living in the area. If you have young children or if you plan to have them at some point, or have children visit your [...]
Hot To Remove Garbage Disposal Smells & Odors
I think we can all agree that a foul odor from the garbage disposal is one of the worst kitchen odors we encounter. The horrible smell results from a combination of food particles left on the underside of the disposal’s rubber guard in the drain, and the nasty water from the dishwasher that is full [...]
Real Estate Mortgage Amortization Calculator
RealEstate ABC provides an additional service that’s just for Real Estate agents. Since so many Real Estate agent websites don’t have calculators that link out to sites that generate leads sold to other agents or lenders, RealEstate ABC created an affordable group of calculators that actually promote and market the agent. For only $50 a [...]
Keep A Green Lawn Without Harming The Environment
Keeping Your Lawn Looking Nice Without Harming the Environment Regardless of where you are, it seems that every neighborhood has that one house with an uncut lawn that is slowly dying. If that describes your own lawn consider the tips in this article, because when your lawn has an ugly appearance your house looks the [...]
17 Tips for Packing Like a Pro
1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical on moving day, and create an estimate of moving costs. (A moving calculator is available at REALTOR.com) 2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to [...]
Closing Documents You Should Keep
On closing day, expect to sign a lot of documents and walk away with a big stack of papers. Here’s a list of the most important documents you should file away for future reference. HUD-1 settlement statement. Itemizes all the costs — commissions, loan fees, points, and hazard insurance —associated with the closing. You’ll need [...]
Moving With Pets
Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and keeping pets safe during the move. 1. Update your pet’s [...]
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: Down payment Loan [...]
What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through
It’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This is your last chance to check that appliances are in [...]
What’s a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the [...]
5 Things to Know About Title Insurance
Title insurance protects the holder from any losses sustained from defects in the title. It’s required by most mortgage lenders. Here are five other things you should know about title insurance. 1. It protects your ownership right to your home, both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such [...]
Tips for Lowering Homeowner’s Insurance Costs
1. Review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report on the property you’re interested in buying. CLUE reports detail the property’s claims history for the most recent five years, which insurers may use to deny coverage. Make the sale contingent on a home inspection to ensure that problems identified in the CLUE report have been [...]
5 Things to Know About Homeowner’s Insurance
1. Know about exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These types of coverage must be bought separately. 2. Know about dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may be a limit on how much the insurer [...]
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might [...]
10 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors
Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors: 1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection [...]
Pros and Cons of Going Condo
Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider: Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or [...]
Tips for Buying in a Tight Market
Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer. 1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller. 2. Stay in close contact with [...]
Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have [...]
Your Property Wish List
What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind. Neighborhoods What neighborhoods do you prefer? Schools What school systems do you want to be near? Transportation How close must the home be to [...]
10 Questions to Ask the Condo Board
Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive — and organized — its members are. You’ll also be alerted to potential problems with the property. 1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the [...]
5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask
1. What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s tax bill to help you determine this information. 2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done? In general, taxes jump most significantly [...]
How High Tech is Your Home?
If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist. 1. Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups? 2. Are there ample telephone extensions or jacks? 3. Is the home pre-wired for home theater or multiroom audio [...]
Making an Offer on a Short Sale? What You Need to Know
Are you looking to buy a new home? Are you thinking that now’s a great time to find bargains? Before you make an offer, it pays to know a little about the seller’s situation. If a home is being sold for below what the current seller owes on the property—and the seller does not have [...]
10 Tips for Moving With Pets
Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and keeping pets safe during the move. 1. Update your pet’s [...]
What to Leave for the New Home Owners
Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house. Garage door opener. Extra sets of house keys. A list of local service providers — the best dry cleaner, yard service, plumber, etc. Code to the security alarm and phone number of the monitoring service if not discontinued. As a courtesy, you could provide numbers [...]
Is Your Buyer Qualified?
Unless the buyer who makes an offer on your home has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. If possible, try to determine a buyer’s financial status before signing the contract. Ask the following: 1. Has the buyer been prequalified or preapproved (even better) for a mortgage? Such [...]
How to Prepare for the Open House
Advertise your open house. Ideally you should advertise both the weekend before and the weekend of the open house. Check with the local paper to see when their ad closing deadlines are. Create a property summary sheet. This sheet gives prospective buyers an overview of your home. Include dimensions for each room, copies of a [...]
