How to Avoid Big Mistakes When Buying a Home

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting moments in your life. You can imagine yourself growing old and going through all the major milestones of your life there. When you make even one of the more common mistakes that other buyers made, though, you won't be as happy in that home. These mistakes can leave you paying more money than you should and cause you some major heartache. Before you start looking at homes for sale, make sure you know which mistakes to avoid.

Not Getting Pre-Approved

Most banks and mortgage lenders have a pre-approval process that lets you apply for a mortgage. They look at factors such as how much you make each month and your expenses along with your credit history to

The Impact of Credit Scores on Mortgage Applications

Your credit score can play a significant role in whether or not you are approved for a home loan. It can also determine the type of loan that you receive and the terms that a lender will offer. Let's take a look at some of the specific ways that your credit score can impact your ability to finance a real estate purchase. 

Traditional Lenders Require a Score of 620 or Higher

You'll need a credit score of at least 620 to be approved for a conventional mortgage. A conventional mortgage is one that is not insured by the Federal Housing Administration or (FHA) or otherwise guaranteed by the federal government. Conventional home loans may be advantageous because there is no need to pay mortgage

Not Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Hurts You Many Ways

When you're preparing to buy a home, there will be a long list of things you need to do. It might be tempting to skip a few of these things for the sake of convenience or time constraints. However, not getting yourself pre-approved for a mortgage could be harmful to your chances of getting the home you want. Here are some ways that failing to get a pre-approval from a mortgage lender hurts your prospects of becoming a homeowner and having a smooth transaction.

Plan Your Monthly Budget

When you go through the pre-approval process, the lender looks closely at your finances. This allows you to know how much you can afford for a mortgage payment. Your banker will explain how much you should

Ways to Make Obtaining a Mortgage Easier

It can be an uphill battle to qualify for a mortgage. Yet there are certain steps that you can take that make the process a little easier. The more organized you are, the less hassle applying for a mortgage will be.

Requesting Your Credit Report

Getting a mortgage becomes even more difficult if there are negative marks on your credit report. The first step is to order a copy of it and read it thoroughly. Any mistakes should be cleared up long before starting the application process. 

Improving Your Credit Score

The higher your credit score is, the more likely you are to qualify for an affordable mortgage. If your credit is not already good to excellent, it is smart to raise it before applying.

Your Go-To Home Buying Checklist

For people who have already bought their first home, buying a second one isn't difficult. For first time homebuyers, however, it’s a different story. In between discovering new neighborhoods and going on house tours, there are a few things you need to look out for before making the purchase. In addition, there are also a few red flags to keep an eye out for, as well.

To make sure you buy the house of your dreams, keep reading to learn how you should prepare to buy a home and the red flags you need to avoid.

Set Your Standards

It’s common knowledge that buying a house is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. As such, you want to make the most out of every cent you’re spending. Before you go

5 Affordable Home Upgrades You'll Love

You want to update your house, but you don't have tens of thousands of dollars to do it. Fortunately, there are many appealing home upgrades that won't break your budget. Discover five low-cost ways to improve the aesthetics and function of your home. You can even do many of these upgrades yourself, which will save you more money on the cost of labor.

1. Stair Runner

Bare steps are more than just an eyesore. They can also be a safety hazard due to slipperiness. You can easily install an attractive stair runner that provides traction on wet or slippery stairs. Shelf liners that come in long rolls are a budget-conscious solution for this. Choose a woven runner. They're available in solid colors and patterns.

Learn About Seasonality in Greenville, SC, Housing Sales

Greenville, SC, has seen a rise in housing prices and demand over the past few years. Whether you're planning to buy a home or sell a home in or near Greenville, timing is everything. Seasonality plays a big role in how long it will take your home to sell, how much it will sell for and how long the transaction will take to process. Read on to learn more about seasonality in the Greenville housing market.

When Most Housing Sales Take Place in Greenville

Most housing sales in Greenville occur during the summer months of the year, between June and September. This is consistent with peak housing sales in other parts of the South. When looking at the trend lines for when housing transactions

The Benefits of Interviewing Real Estate Agents

If you want to sell your home as efficiently as possible, then you need to pick the right real estate agent. However, it can be difficult to find a real estate agent based on the information you find online. While it may seem strange, here are three reasons why you should interview your real estate agents before hiring them.

Ask Them Questions

If you sit down and talk with a real estate agent, then you can ask him or her various questions. This way, you can ensure that your goals and the agent's goals will align as you work together. Keep in mind that you can ask the agent plenty of home-related questions during the interview.

Here are some common questions to help you see whether the agent has

3 Tips for Finding an Ideal Real Estate Agent

If you plan to move out of your home, then you should find a real estate agent that can meet your needs. However, you may be worried about finding a real estate agent that can offer you the right services. If you feel this way, then we have three tips to help you find the ideal real estate agent for your situation.

1. Look at Online Reviews

You should always spend some time looking at reviews when you want to pick someone to work with. This also applies to real estate agents, since you can get a general idea of how they work with others. By reading reviews, you can get a good idea if they're a good match for your needs.

Keep in mind that the reviews will have varying opinions. This means that you

Deciding Between a Short Sale and Refinancing Your Mortgage

If you are struggling to stay current on your mortgage, it may be possible to engage in a short sale or refinance your existing loan. A short sale allows you to walk away from the home without paying the loan balance in full while refinancing your loan allows you to alter its terms while retaining the property.

What to Know About Short Sales

You must generally obtain permission from your lender to engage in a short sale, and the lender will typically need to approve a purchase offer before the sale can be completed. Typically, your mortgage servicer will need to see evidence that you cannot meet your current obligation before agreeing to let you put the home on the market. In many cases,