Choosing your First Home

Choosing your First Home

If you are ready to move out of your apartment, there is no time better than now.  Beginning to search for your first home is an important step to having the ability to build better finances and to live in a place that is comfortable.  If you are considering a new home, there are specific things that you will want to know before jumping in with both feet.

Buying Unfinished Homes

Buying Unfinished Homes

Unfinished homes present a great way to save a lot of money and get yourself a new home in the process.  If you buy an unfinished home, you can keep your monthly mortgage payment low and also lower your initial investment.  You may also be able to buy a larger foundation size as well, which you can easily add on to and save money in the process.

What Type of Loan is That

What Type of Loan is That

Getting into real estate property is based off of the idea of money.  Your exchange of money will give you exactly what you want for a home.  Within each different type of loan that you decide to get will be different divisions on how you can pay off your home or office space.  If you know the terms and types of loans that are available to you, it will be easier to move your furniture into the right place. 

Buying property abroad

Buying property abroad

It is said that no two countries in the world have the same legal systems, nor are the systems and policies that rule the acquisition of property the same. Unfortunately, people who are buying property abroad often assume otherwise, making them susceptible of getting into a mad run with the legal intricacies of a foreign property market.

Must Read Tips on Buying A Home

The home buying process can seem complicated, but if you take things step-by-step, you will soon be holding the keys to your own home!

But before going into the buying process you should first ask yourself if your are already ready for home buying.

Do you prefer or even enjoy moving into different places. Do you prefer using your savings for things like vacations, appliances, retirement or having your own business? Do you like to enjoy not having so much trouble with regular maintenance and repairs?

Avoiding Extra High Financing Costs

 Did you know that there are ways for you to pay less while you own more?  If you know exactly how to work with the real estate market, then you can also find ways to avoid extra financing costs.  By finding the right area to focus on for your investment, you will be able to pay lower amounts without extra charges. 

One of the easiest ways to avoid extra costs is to make sure that you pay your loan on time.  Usually, mortgage companies will add in extra finances if you don't pay by a date that they have set for you.  Over a specific amount of time, this can cause you to pay hundreds of extra dollars in financing at one time.  Staying ahead and consistent will help you to keep costs stable and lower. 

A Second Home: Take it or Leave it?

 For many, wanderlust is just a part of life. You buy a beautiful home somewhere, settle down, have a family, but there is always a part of you that’s itching to get away. Vacations are part of that wanderlust; the chance to get away someplace beautiful. And then you see it. The local newspaper at your vacation destination, and lo and behold, there is a real estate section right there. Dare you even look? You can’t afford it, can you? Two homes? Is dual home ownership for you?

Plan Ahead for New Home Construction

Location, Location, Location

New home construction is an exciting adventure that many people dream about for years. There are a myriad of details to be considered before you get started. One choice you will have to make is the actual location. You will need to think through several questions like these before making a final determination about location.

Fix and Flip. Fact or Fiction

There are many shows on A & E sharing the concept of fixing and flipping properties. These shows reveal how properties are purchased, rehabbed and sold. Most of the time there is a profit for the investor.

I like these shows. You get to see some great ideas on how to convert properties so they can be resold at a high price. Overall the concept is good.

Planned Communities Pros and Cons

Planned communities are not exactly new. They've been around for decades. However, they have definitely evolved and are a far cry from developments of years gone by. If you are considering such a move, there are some things you'll want to consider.

Pros

Costs - It is a fact that they provide a wide array of housing prices. This makes it easy for a buyer to find a home that is a good fit financially. They can offer attractive cost options for both the first-time buyer and the experienced homeowner looking to make that final retirement purchase.

Security - With features like patrolled security and gated access, residents feel safer. In addition, these properties generally attract residents who are security-conscious and will look out for neighbors.

Shared Amenities - One of the biggest attractions are the shared amenities offered. You may not want a pool in your backyard because of the upkeep; but it's nice to have access to the neighborhood pool. Other features such as biking and jogging trails, playgrounds, golf courses, and even water parks only add to the appeal for prospective residents.

Home Design Options - When building, homeowners generally have options to individualize their home designs. This is appealing to many buyers who don't want a cookie-cutter look for their homes.

Cons

Resale - These communities are constantly being developed. Because of this, if you find you need to resell within a short period of time, it might be difficult. Existing and new homes can end up competing on the market--meaning resale could take longer than you hoped for.

Density - The large number of residents could mean that you will experience more traffic flow or have periods where there is a greater amount of commuter congestion. The amount of space per lot can also feel like it is at a premium.

Limited privacy - Because of the density factor, homeowners live close to one another. This results in limited privacy for residents.

High HOA Fees - Homeowner association (HOA) fees must be paid and can be pricey. However, they are not "hidden fees." The homeowner is aware of these costs at the time of purchase. If not paid, the HOA can take legal action. However, because these fees are used for maintenance, the homeowner reaps the benefit of living in a well-kept community.

Property Restrictions - Individuals may have limitations regarding what they can or cannot do on their property. For instance, fences may have height or building material restrictions. Your HOA may have to grant approval before changes can be made on your property.

In any situation, there are both pros and cons. Homebuyers choosing to live here know the options upfront. They will have to weigh those choices and evaluate their lifestyle to see if something is a deal breaker for them. However, the fact that they are more popular now than ever suggests that there is definitely an upside.

Check out information on planned communities in San Marcos.

http://www.blancovista.com/

Marsha Gordon

What the Real Estate Ads Really Mean

We’ve all read them and used them, in the search for the perfect house. My dad and sister have sold real estate and I once had a license. Crafting an ad is a challenge to promote the best features of a home. After reviewing thousands of newspaper ads, I think I’m qualified to decipher the words and phrases that are most used. Here they are:

Quaint: Really old without being historic

Picturesque: Hard to look at

Cozy: Small

Under Appraisal; Originally overpriced

Remodeled: Repainted

Close to Shopping: there’s a 7/11 on the corner

Owner Must Sell: Duh!

Gourmet Kitchen: Has a sink and oven

View Lot: View of the lot next door

Extra Security: Front door has a lock and key

Fixer Upper: Ready for Demolition

Family Neighborhood: Lots of screaming kids and barking dogs

Privacy: Overgrown bushes

Executive Home: Includes bathrooms and bedrooms

Three-Car Garage: If one of them is a motorcycle

Dream House: Because ‘Nightmare House’ would scare you away

Custom Cabinets: Handpainted by the previous owner

Upgraded Flooring: New area rugs from Walmart

Highly Desirable: The owner desires to get out

Model Home: If you happen to be Twiggy

Well-Maintained: They occasionally mowed the lawn

Working Fireplace: You can still smell the smoke in the living room

Water View: When the sprinkler is on

Needs TLC: It was totaled in a fire

Just Reduced: It was totaled in a fire

Ideal Location: If you like living near a toxic waste dump

Large Lot: Makes up for the itsy, bitsy house

Original Owner: The house is older than the Bible

Priced to Sell: (refer back to ‘Owner Must Sell’ above)

For Sale by Owner: Too cheap to pay a Realtor

Perfect for You: Are they really psychic?

If you’re a real estate agent and I have offended you by any of these terms, get a life. However, if you are in the market for a home, I happen to have a beautiful, inviting, open floor plan, 3 bedroom beauty…

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree from Monmouth University. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix," available at amazon.com. His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages." Currently, he is the Marketing Director for thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.