What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?
What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?
If you’re planning to buy a home, an inspection is an important step in the process. It assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. It’s ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on April 27, 2023 in Buying a Home
Should You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?
Should You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might be focusing on previously owned ones. But with so few houses for sale today, it makes sense to consider all your options, and that includes ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on February 16, 2023 in Buying a Home
What You Should Know About Closing Costs
Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on February 14, 2023 in Buying a Home
The 3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability
The 3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability
If you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But according to experts, the key factors that ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on January 24, 2023 in Buying a Home
Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?
Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?
If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost that’s likely top of mind is your down ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on January 3, 2023 in Buying a Home
Applying For a Mortgage? Here’s What You Should Avoid Once You Do.
While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating after you’ve applied for your mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. Here’s a list of things you may ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on December 28, 2022 in Buying a Home
Applying for a Mortgage Doesn’t Have To Be Scary
Some Highlights
Even with higher mortgage rates, the mortgage process doesn’t need to be something you fear. Here are some steps to help as you set out to buy a home.
Know your credit score and work to build ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on October 28, 2022 in Buying a Home
Three Things Buyers Can Do in Today’s Housing Market
Three Things Buyers Can Do in Today’s Housing Market
It’s clear the 2022 housing market has been defined by rising mortgage rates. With rates on the rise, it’s also become more costly to purchase a home. According to ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on September 13, 2022 in Buying a Home
Eight Things to Consider When Finding a Lot to Build On
There’s a lot to like about building your own home. You’re able to customize it to your personal preferences, you’ll pay lower utility bills thanks to the latest energy-efficient systems and materials, and you’ll ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on January 8, 2022 in Buying a Home
What Do Supply and Demand Tell Us About Today’s Housing Market?
What Do Supply and Demand Tell Us About Today’s Housing Market?
There’s a well-known economic theory – the law of supply and demand – that explains what’s happening with prices in the current real estate market. Put ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on October 6, 2021 in Buying a Home
What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?
What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on August 23, 2021 in Buying a Home
Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune
Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune
Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire to become homeowners but are unsure if buying ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on May 6, 2021 in Buying a Home
Patience Is the Key to Buying a Home This Year
The question many homebuyers are facing this year is, “Why is it so hard to find a house?” We’re in the ultimate sellers’ market, which means real estate is ultra-competitive for buyers right now. ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on April 29, 2021 in Buying a Home
Some Buyers Prefer Smaller Homes
Over the past year, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to reflect on what we consider most important in our lives. The place we call home is one of the biggest things many of us are reevaluating. George Ratiu, Senior ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on April 21, 2021 in Buying a Home
How Much Time Do You Need To Save for a Down Payment?
One of the biggest hurdles homebuyers face is saving for a down payment. As you’re budgeting and planning for your home purchase, you’ll want to understand how much you’ll need to put down and how long it will take you to get ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on April 19, 2021 in Buying a Home
Is Homeownership Still Considered Part of the American Dream?
Since the birth of our nation, homeownership has always been considered a major piece of the American Dream. As Frederick Peters reports in Forbes:
“The idea of a place of one’s own drives the American story. We became ...
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Posted by Missy Ashcraft on April 7, 2021 in Buying a Home