Have you ever asked yourself this question: How much home can I afford to buy? If you did, and are still wondering the answer, we’ll help to answer it here. Figuring out just how much home you can afford is an important aspect of buying a home. You find a home you absolutely love and begin the whole loan process only to be disappointed because you simply cannot afford it. By figuring out how much house you can afford beforehand, you can avoid...
Read MoreIf this is your first time buying a home, the process to get your first home loan can seem complicated. Applying for your first home loan can be tricky, and the most important thing you can do is look to the experienced gay realtor you’re working with for advice. It’s recommended to get assistance from those who have done it before, and in this case, your agent has probably done it hundreds of times. Even though things are different than...
Read MoreBased upon a study by the National Association of Realtors ~ This articles lays out the 11 most popular home improvements. When it comes to certain interior features, many home buyers are willing to spend thousands of dollars above the price of the home to have them included. Using data from the National Association of Realtors, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 11 interior features that most homeowners were willing to pay more for. Also included is the...
Read MoreLooking for a new home is a complicated process. There are so many factors to consider, including the type of property you would feel comfortable in, the style of home or building you would like to live in, how much you can afford to pay, the amenities and transportation links in the local area, and whether it will be near enough to work or to school. The difficulties increase with each member of the family that needs to be considered. There is an...
Read MoreIf this is your first time buying a home, the process to get your first home loan can seem complicated. Applying for your first home loan can be tricky, and the most important thing you can do is look to the experienced gay realtor you’re working with for advice. It’s recommended to get assistance from those who have done it before, and in this case, your agent has probably done it hundreds of times. Even though things are different than...
Read MoreIf you're considering a move to a new part of town, or a whole new state, gay realtor recommends you know what you're getting into well before you buy real estate there. Part of your due diligence in buying a home will be to analyze the crime statistics in that particular region, and even specific neighborhoods, and determine whether it is a safe place to live or not. There are quite a few resources that can help you get a better feel for a place...
Read MoreDown payments can be one of the hardest things to overcome for first time homebuyers. Down payments can be expensive... 5% to 20% or more, with FHA being the most affordable option at about 3.5 to 5%. But down payments are necessary, I’m afraid the days of “no down payment” home loans are long gone. First time home buyers need a way to be able to meet the down payment so they can proceed with purchasing their home, and one of the...
Read MoreA traditional IRA does in fact allow you to withdraw up to $10,000 in order to finance a deposit for a first-time home purchase. Although it allows you to do this without paying an early withdrawal penalty (a standard 10% is usual) you may still have to pay income tax on the $10,000 withdrawal. There are a lot of things to consider when attempting using IRA money for a home purchase down payment according to gay realtor. If you wish to avoid paying...
Read MoreMany potential home buyers like to start the home search by themselves. They take out the time to view advertisements for homes, stop at open houses and search dozens of on-line sites. On the other hand, most qualified buyers prefer to hire a realtor to do the searching for them, based upon the specifics of your desires and price range. In this scenario, all the buyer has to do is view “the right homes”, sign a contract prepared by the...
Read MoreThe number of foreclosure-rescue scams are on the rise and will likely exceed 2011 numbers, according to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These scams target struggling home owners and these so-called rescuers promise they will save the home owner from foreclosure by negotiating — for a fee — a loan modification on their behalf or selling their home to investors. In some cases, the home owner not only...
Read MoreOne of the most essential steps in any real estate transaction is the building inspection, and by all means LGBT buyers should have an inspection done before purchasing any property. There are many kinds of professional home inspections – and each has a particular focus. There are those that analyze energy consumption and carbon emissions, for example, ones that investigate potential environmental hazards, and others that look for evidence of...
Read MorePurchasing a first home is a wise financial investment, especially with today's discounted prices, reasonable interest rates, and generous first time buyer tax incentives. But before looking at houses, savvy buyers will first spend time shopping for the right real estate agent to meet their needs. Most inexperienced buyers see a house they like and call the brokerage or agent whose phone number is displayed on the yard sign. As a result they enter...
Read MoreAsk, and Do Tell! LGBT Military Vets and Valuable VA Mortgage Benefits In October tens of thousands of LGBT citizens swarmed the nation’s capital to call for legalized equality and an end to discrimination. During an event organized by Human Rights Watch on the same weekend, President Obama renewed his personal political promises to push for gay rights – both in the civilian sector as well as within the ranks of the military. He specifically...
Read MoreMoving to a new city is always difficult, especially for younger people. Teens may find their entire non-family support system torn away. While it’s far easier to keep in touch with old friends today thanks to video chats and cell phones, it's not the same as spending time with someone in person. On top of the feeling of loss that comes from moving away, there’s getting settled into a new house and a new city. The whole house is likely...
Read MoreThe home inspections are complete. You have your homeowners insurance. The day you've been waiting for has arrived -- closing day. If everything is in order, a closing process can run smoothly and ownership of the property will be transferred to you with no hitches. Before the congratulations are given and house keys handed over, you, the homebuyer, are expected to come to the closing table actively engaged and prepared to seal the deal. Closing ...
Read MorePurchasing a first home is a wise financial investment and can provide priceless personal and emotional rewards as well. Home ownership offers an unprecedented sense of security, accomplishment, success, and perhaps most importantly, personal freedom. But before you begin to look at homes, it is a good idea to first shop around for a real estate professional that is compatible with your needs and understands your buying goals. Most novice buyers...
Read MoreThe idea is to not be impulsive or succumb to wishful thinking. Even though a home may seem like a dream house it could, in reality, be a real nightmare if you are not carefully considering everything that entails purchasing the house in detail. Before you buy be sure to check out the neighborhood thoroughly. Remember that there are real estate agents in the business of selling you a home however they can, and if that means telling you that...
Read MoreThere are many benefits to owning your own home. Gay realtors report one of the biggest benefits of course is making your mortgage payment with tax free money ~ your mortgage deduction. Another is the ability to completely control your environment and your décor, king of your domain. You do not have to inherit old appliances and you can knock out walls to create a more open space if you need to. Of course this freedom to do what...
Read MoreReal estate agents say emotional mistakes are common among homebuyers, who sometimes let good deals pass them by. Or worse, buyers overpay for their "dream homes" because they let feelings cloud their judgment. But buyers shouldn't beat themselves up for getting emotional. Buying a home is often the biggest purchase a person will make. Homebuyers "need someone in their corner who can counsel them and make sure they are making a smart inv...
Read MoreIn today's economy, people are looking to save every penny they can. They will work their hardest to cut a dollar here, fifty cents over there, but what many people do not realize is that by doing just a little bit of math, they can potentially save themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars, simply by choosing a different length of time on their mortgages. Gay realtor reports that simply by choosing a mortgage paid in a shorter amount of ...
Read MoreTime and time again we see people blindsided by the true cost of buying their first home. Many people fall into a comfort zone of denial that has them believing that all they will be paying is the monthly principal and interest on the new home. Then they are quite shocked when they realize that the total cost of owning their own home is a lot more than they thought. Sometimes these costs are so extreme that some buyers have been forced...
Read More1. Don't buy if you can't stay put. If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition. 2. Start by shoring up your credit. Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy...
Read MorePurchasing a home is a major undertaking for any couple, but same-sex couples must be especially diligent to make sure their investment and their interests are protected. This is due in part to inconsistent marriage laws in America and because of varying laws handling the disposition of a property with multiple owners. Purchasing a home with your partner is an exciting time in both of your lives, but it is absolutely imperative that you...
Read MoreReducing the amount of materials and energy required to build or maintain a home can help to substantially reduce your carbon footprint. At the same time, a green approach to home ownership ensures greater peace of mind, physical comfort, and preservation of a sustainable investment over the lifetime of the home. Save money while living a more responsible green lifestyle – whether buying a condo, remodeling a home, planning new construction,...
Read MoreHome inspections are absolutely vital when considering a real estate purchase. A home, far from being a monolithic thing, is in fact a network of interlocking systems – structural, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical – which required a wide range of expertise to build. Since the average individual does not possess the abilities of a carpenter, plumber, electrician, landscaper, architect, and construction worker, it’s important...
Read MoreWhen you’re on the prowl for that perfect property and are ready to pounce, the last thing you need is a pre-qualification delaying your offer. One of the questions your mortgage professional with inevitably ask is, “How much do you want to put down?” Your down payment can be a gateway into a variety of useful mortgage programs suited for a wide range of needs. It’s important to note that mortgage program guidelines...
Read MoreFor most people, the kind of dwelling they choose to live in is largely dictated by the requirements of their life stage. Any denizen of a major city has probably seen at least a few friends depart for the suburbs after child number one or two. These suburban migrants regularly cite green spaces, “safety”, and better schools as their primary reasons for abandoning the beloved amenities and attractions of city life. While prevailing wisdom...
Read MoreBuying a home is huge step, and often represents the culmination of a lifelong dream. But while under the thrilling spell of the home buying experience many LGBT buyers fall victim to three of the biggest mistakes. Became familiar with these pitfalls to successfully avoid them. #1 Overreaching One of the many companies directly owned by Warren Buffett, the most successful investor in American history, is a business that builds and sells homes across...
Read MoreFirst of all understand that your Gay Realtor will be by your side. The closing agent will provide a HUD that will list the money you owe the seller (remainder of down payment, prepaid taxes, etc.) and then the money the seller owes you (unpaid taxes and prepaid rent, if applicable). The seller will provide proof of any repairs, warranties, etc. that they have agreed to provide. Each document at closing will be explained to you, you’ll have...
Read MoreIt usually takes a lender between 2-3 weeks to complete the evaluation of your application. It’s not unusual for the lender to ask for more information once the application has been submitted. The sooner you can provide the information, the faster your application will be processed. Once all the information has been verified the lender will call you to let you know the outcome of your application. Find a gay, lesbian or gay friendly mortgage...
Read MoreAn inspector checks the safety of your potential new home. Home Inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house and will make you aware of only repairs that are needed. The Inspector does not evaluate whether or not you're getting good value for your money. Generally, an inspector checks the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, the water heater, insulation and Ventilation, the HVAC system, ...
Read MoreAs a member of the LGBT Community, select a neighborhood/community that will allow you to best live your daily life. Many people choose communities based on where they work, not remembering that is only a portion of their life. Do you want access to shopping and public transportation? Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or do you prefer the peace and quiet of a rural community? When you find places that you like,...
Read MoreYou can find out by asking yourself some questions: Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)? Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years? Is my current income reliable? Do I have a good record of paying my bills? Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments, student loans, credit card debt? Do I have money saved for a down payment (generally 3 to 5%)? Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage...
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