• Homeownership Remains a Huge Part of the American Dream,Home Success Team

    Homeownership Remains a Huge Part of the American Dream

    As we head into 2019, many news outlets and housing experts warn that the housing market may slow down. Over the last six years, the inventory of homes for sale has been near historic lows, which has been the force behind increasing home prices. This has been great news for

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  • Why Houses DO NOT Sell in a Strong Market,Home Success Team

    Why Houses DO NOT Sell in a Strong Market

    As we approach the end of the year, many homeowners find themselves asking the question, “If we’re currently in a strong real estate market, why won’t my house sell?” Below are the 5 most common reasons why a listing contract will expire: 1. The Price Sometimes when the market is

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  • Buyers: Don’t Be Surprised by Closing Costs!,Home Success Team

    Buyers: Don’t Be Surprised by Closing Costs!

    Many homebuyers think that saving for their down payment is enough to buy the house of their dreams, but what about the closing costs that are required to obtain a mortgage? By law, a homebuyer will receive a loan estimate from their lender 3 days after submitting their loan application and they should receive a closing disclosure 3 days before the scheduled closing on their home. The closing disclosure includes final details about the loan and the closing costs. But what are closing costs anyway? According to Trulia: “Closing costs are lender and third-party fees paid at the closing of a real estate transaction, and they can be financed as part of the deal or be paid upfront. They range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price of a home. (For those who buy a $150,000 home, for example, that would amount to between $3,000 and $7,500 in closing fees.)” Keep in mind that if you are in the market for a home above this price range, your costs could be significantly greater. As mentioned before, Closing costs are typically between 2% and 5% of your purchase price. Trulia continues to give great advice, saying that: “…understanding and educating yourself about these costs before settlement day arrives might help you avoid any headaches at the end of the deal.” Bottom Line Speak with your lender and agent early and often to determine how much you’ll be responsible for at closing. Finding out that you’ll need to come up with thousands of dollars right before closing is not a surprise anyone is ever looking forward to.

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