When buying a home, most people think first about location and, of course, price. But another important decision is home type — i.e., deciding between a single-family home, a condominium, or a townhouse. Should You Buy a House, a Condo or a Townhouse? Buying a condo, a townhouse, or a single-family home has a big impact on your lifestyle. It determines how much control you have over making changes to your home, and how much […]
The market remains tough for buyers, but there’s still no time like the present to start shopping. From high prices to low inventory, potential home buyers know it’s gnarly out there. But if you’re ready for homeownership, the long-term benefit of buying often outweighs the pain of toughing out the search — even these days. Think of it like your 5 a.m. spin class: You know it’s good for you, even if it takes grit […]
Loan limits for most mortgages are increasing in 2023. While updated FHA and VA loan limits won’t be in effect until after the new year, if you’re getting a conventional loan from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you can take advantage of increased buying power now. We’ll go over what the new limits are and what this means for home buyers or those looking to refinance. Understanding The Loan Limit Changes There are three types of […]
Does the time of year actually matter when buying a house, condo or apartment? The short answer: yes and no. Seasonality tends to affect factors such as inventory (the number of homes for sale) and purchase price. During spring, inventory is plentiful, but competition among buyers may cause prices to rise. By contrast, home prices may be lower during winter, but inventory is usually limited – and moving in may be more difficult, depending on […]
Even though vaccinations are widespread in the U.S. right now, many people are still spending a lot of time at home. Summer 2021 is likely going to bring some return to normalcy, but it’s probably going to be a slow process. You still want your home to feel like an oasis, and with that goal in mind, the following are some of the biggest interior design trends right now. Maxed Out Design Minimalism had its […]
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter, jettisoning the dead weight of your unneeded stuff before you haul it into your new home. Yet while the very best time to cut your losses is before you pack your things, unpacking is another prime opportunity to edit your belongings, too. It could easily come in handy, especially if you packed in a frenzy, without fully considering what to keep or toss, or if you hired movers […]
Grants to buy a house? That sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? Actually, there isn’t one. Many homebuyers receive home buying grants every year. These are effectively gifts, which don’t have to be repaid. These grants come from state agencies and nonprofits in the form of “down payment assistance.” They’re a 100% legit and acceptable way to cover your down payment when you get a mortgage. Really, the only hurdles are the […]