How to Make Sense of Your Home Inspection Report

When you're considering the purchase of a home, your contract should include a stipulation on getting the home inspected. It should also include a way out if the inspection results in you learning information that would impact your use or enjoyment of the home or property. Here are some tips on how to interpret your home inspection report and how to know whether or not a home is worth fixing.

Understand the Scope of the Issue

If you didn't accompany the inspector during the inspection, you'll need to have a conversation about the scope of the issue. An area of localized mold by a leaky laundry tub could be a simple, moderate cost and fast problem for a plumber to fix. On the other hand, mold behind…

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How to Determine If a House Has Building Code Violations

As a homeowner or a prospective homeowner, you're probably aware of building code violations. Unless a house is brand-new, chances are it has some building code violations, including the one you currently live in. Here is what you can do to determine if a house is up to code.

Get a Copy of State and Local Building Codes

Obtain copies of local and state requirements because, in some instances, the codes may differ. Check your municipality's building inspection office or the zoning and building department. Local builders and remodelers are also good sources as reputable ones have to be up to date on the latest codes to make sure that their work passes muster.

At the same time, make sure…

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What to Consider Before Renting Out a Home

Using your home as a rental property may help you achieve greater financial security or flexibility. However, there are many items that you need to keep in mind before deciding to allow someone else to live in your home as a tenant. 

You'll Have to Follow Fair Housing Rules

It is illegal to refuse to rent to someone because of that person's gender, national origin or sexual orientation. It is also illegal to refuse to rent to someone who is pregnant, has a child or who has a disability. In some cases, you may be required to modify your home to make it easier for a disabled person to use. 

Tenants Have Legal Rights After Signing a Lease

While you can enter your home after renting it to a tenant, you…

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What You Can Learn From the Neighborhood Civic Association

When you are thinking about buying a house, it is a good idea to get to know the neighborhood and your prospective neighbors. The community in which the house is located is as important or even more so than the actual house itself. One of the best ways to learn about the neighborhood is through the neighborhood civic association. Here are some of the things that you can learn by attending meetings or joining the group.

Planned Changes to the Neighborhood

The neighborhood association is often the first place to find out about planned changes to the community. For example, the association meetings might include statements from the public works or transportation department of the community.…

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What You Should Know About Buying a Condo

Purchasing a house is one of life’s most difficult and expensive tasks. From looking for the perfect area to reside in to including utilities into the budget, buying a home isn’t easy. As such, some people may be turned off from all the responsibilities and extra expenses.

If that’s the case, you can always consider the possibility of buying a condo instead. Here’s what you should know about buying a condo. 

What Are Condos?

Condos, also referred to as condominiums, are one or multiple buildings that allow people to purchase a living space within it. Condos are commonly seen in highly populated areas such as Los Angeles and New York, but there are some residential neighborhoods that offer townhouses. 

…

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Why Using Drone Photography Is a Growing Trend for Realtors

Back in the day, people had to answer ads in the newspaper or in their penny saver to find somewhere to live. 

Well, those days are long gone, and the world of real estate has evolved significantly. As a result, home buyers have a much easier time looking for the perfect place.

Despite the progress that the real estate market has made, it's still growing as we speak. Recently, realtors have been using drones to showcase homes to clients. 

Here’s why using drone photography is a growing trend for realtors. 

They Give Buyers a Bird’s Eye View

Whenever someone talks about using a drone, they think that only the government can use them. However, this is not the case. Realtors are…

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In a seller's market, a buyer has to be ready to take action at a moment's notice. Some houses get offers within minutes of the listing going live. Your realtor has to be accessible and working with your best interests in mind in order for the transaction to go as smoothly as possible. If your realtor will not respond to your calls, it might be time to fire them and work with someone else. Here are some tips on what to do when you have a non-responsive realtor.

 

Consider the Issue From Their Perspective

 

Before you take a hasty action, think about the issue from the realtor's perspective. They might be closing a deal with another client at the moment of your call. If you are calling them after 10:00 p.m. on a weeknight or at 6:00 a.m. on a…

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Buying a house is an exciting life event that comes with challenges, as well. You deserve a fair price that will not strain you financially. Plus, you need realtors who can help you with your house-hunting activity. Deciding when to buy a home? Winter is the best time since summer and spring are often flooded with home searchers. Read on to know why you should look for a house during the winter.

 

Lower Prices

 

As experts, we advise you to buy a house in the winter season since the prices are relatively more economical as compared to summer. The primary reason behind it is due to less demand. This lower demand prompts the real estate sector to lower the sale prices. For this reason, you can save up some cash to renovate or buy new appliances…

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It can be harder to buy a home when there are more buyers than available homes on the market. However, there are ways to get your dream home at a reasonable price even when competition for properties is fierce. Let's look at a few specific steps that you can take to achieve this goal.

 

Make a Cash Offer



If possible, offer to pay for the home in cash instead of getting a loan to do so. While the seller will get paid the same amount whether you finance the purchase or pay cash, it can be faster and easier to close when a lender isn't involved. This can be appealing for sellers who are looking to coordinate the sale of their current homes with the purchase of their next homes.

 

Get Approved for Financing Before Making an Offer



At…

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USDA Home Loans are a viable alternative for financing the purchase of a residential property, especially for first-time buyers. USDA is an acronym that means United States Department of Agriculture. In the past, these loans were used primarily to help finance the acquisition of properties in rural areas. However, in recent years, the program has expanded to include the purchase of homes in most areas of the country that are outside of major metropolitan areas

 

Types of USDA Home Loans



The USDA offers two types of loans for the purchase of single-family properties: guaranteed rural housing loans and direct rural housing loans. Guaranteed loans are the most common type of USDA loans. They have higher income limits as they allow…

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