One of the major components of the American Dream is owning a home. Those who have a home of their own generally feel like they've arrived on some level. To buy a home, it's necessary to come up with a down payment in most instances. Even with government programs through the USDA and the VA that require no down payment, there is usually a need to pay legal fees and closing costs that can reach a few thousand bucks. Therefore, it's important to save up some money to get into a home of your own. Here are some suggestions as to how you can save up money.

 

 

Set A Goal

 

Most of the time, a bank will let you know how much you can borrow. From this information, you can then figure out how much you'll actually need to save up to make a down…

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Are you tired of all the clutter in your home? If so, you are like millions of other people throughout the country. Many people today are tired of having a large home filled with junk that they never use.

 

There is a major trend going on in the real estate industry today where people are buying smaller homes. Not only does this save them money, but it also helps them invest for the future. Here are some of the best tips to make downsizing easier.

 

 

Get Organized

 

One of the most important aspects of having a good downsizing experience is to get organized. It can seem overwhelming if you are trying to get organized from scratch. However, you can just start on one room in your home each day. There are a lot of people who are able to…

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When you are buying a home, deciding what to offer can be nerve-wracking, especially if it's your first real estate transaction. You don't want to make an insulting offer or get outbid, but you also want to avoid paying more than necessary. Negotiations begin as soon as the seller receives an offer and nearly everything is negotiable, which means there can be a lot of back and forth before an offer is accepted. Here are some negotiation tips to help you walk away from the home-buying process satisfied with what you're paying.

 

In a hot market, make your best offer

If you're in a hot real estate market, don't forget about your competition. When it's a seller's market, there's a good chance there will be at least two other offers on the table.…

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What people are looking for in properties varies due to their age.  Millennials prefer a convenient location and open floor plan, and they would like to communicate with realtors through texts or emails.  For Generation X members, they value a solid school district and house features over the location and would prefer to connect with realtors through emails or phone calls.  Baby Boomers are focused on first-floor master bedrooms and accessibility for future needs, and when communicating with a realtor, they prefer phone calls.  Members of the Silent Generation are focused on smaller homes close to friends and families, and they choose to communicate with realtors through face to face interactions.  No matter what age group you are in, contact a real…

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When you are buying a home, there are many expenses you will need to plan for. In addition to considering the purchase price of the home, your down payment, property taxes, and insurance, don't overlook closing costs, which are fees paid at closing. The seller and the buyer both incur closing costs, but the closing costs are usually higher for the buyer.

 

How Much Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are usually 3-5% of the purchase price of your home, but they can be as low as 2% and as high as 7%. On a $250,000 home, closing costs can be anywhere from $5,000 to $17,500 but these costs are split between the seller and the buyer. Buyers are responsible for most closing costs, or 3-4% of the home, because the majority of these costs are associated…

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It's important to prepare your home for inspection. Here are a few ways that you can be ready for a home inspection:

 

 

1. Make Sure The Inspector Will Be Able To Access All Areas Of The House:

 

Check to see that crawl spaces are open. In addition, make sure that the inspector has access to other locked areas of the house. It is especially important that they are able to access the furnace, hot water heater, central AC unit, and other important utilities. When an area cannot be accessed, the inspector will include this with the report. This could lead buyers to believe that there is a problem in this part of the house.

 

 

2. Clean Drains:

 

If drains are clogged, this will be noted on the report. Slow flowing drains will…

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When looking to fix up your home to close a real estate deal, there are a number of little things that make all the difference in the world. The goal is to add that additional “wow” factor that gives the buyer a major incentive to purchase the home.

 

1. The kitchen is one of the top reasons that people buy homes. People love to entertain, and they also love a place where the family can gather to eat family meals. There are inexpensive fixes that can include updating drawer and cabinet handles, and switching out light fixtures. Sellers can also re-stain their kitchen cabinets.

 

2. Families and individuals also spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Little fixes like replacing the toilet seat, exchanging sink and bathtub handles, replacing the…

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Careful Home Shopping

 

Prospective home buyers sometimes allow their eagerness to purchase a residence to blind them to signs of current or future repair issues. Contending with steep contractor bills shortly after making a big purchase sours the joy of real estate ownership very quickly. To avoid experiencing this heartbreak, it makes sense to remain observant and as impartial as possible during your search for a suitable property.

 

Four Potential "Red Flags"

 

Signs of looming real estate problems sometimes even escape the attention of seasoned industry professionals. While over the course of time a property will often increase in value, no one can guarantee an individual purchasing decision won't actually result in financial losses.…

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Why should a homeowner rely on a real estate agent? Between financial issues and accessible real estate information, this question plagues many sellers. The internet provides a smorgasbord of answers to every real estate question imaginable. You save money through self-teaching. The reality is you gain something else when saving on one or two parts. Yes, you use the internet and keep finances, but you gain stress and confusion. Ease the stress by hiring an agent to represent your home. Here's why.

 

Industry Knowledge & Guidance

A real estate agent guides you through each step in the home selling process to ensure the sale is final and legal. From listing to closing, the agent advises sellers on the correct steps in making a solid sale.

 

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Finding a new home is no easy task. From the number of bedrooms to location, there is so much to consider before a potential buyer can begin to look at available properties. However, in 2018, there are six home features that almost every buyer is looking for:

 

1. Lots of Storage

Due to financial constraints and availability, many home buyers are looking for cheaper, smaller properties to make their own. In these properties, having plenty of storage space becomes more and more of a necessity. Whether it's extra cabinets in the kitchens and bathrooms or closets in the bedrooms, prospective buyers want storage space to help keep their homes tidy and organized. Custom cabinets in living areas are a wonderful and unique feature for potential…

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