Is It a Good Time to Buy a New House?

Are you looking for a new home? If so, you'll be happy to learn that it could be a great time to buy. That's because many people have had to sell their homes during the pandemic, and this has created an excellent buyer's market. This is especially true for first-time homebuyers. As the pandemic is coming to an end, a larger number of buyers will enter the market for the first time. 

This will drive up home prices, and it could make real estate an exceptional investment these days. Not only that, but there are plenty of homes available in all regions of the country. 

This can allow you to pick out the right property for yourself and your entire family, and you'll be able to find a living situation that makes

5 Ways COVID-19 Is Affecting the Current Real Estate Market

Every part of the economy has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The real estate market is no exception. Here are five ways that the pandemic has affected all participants in real estate, including real estate agents, buyers and sellers.

1. Hesitancy of Sellers

Sellers have been hesitant to put their homes on the market. This has led to a sharp drop in existing home inventory. The low supply has created a new challenge in the real estate market. At the same time, construction of new housing units dropped, which contributed to the low inventory problem. The United States overall has about a 30-day supply of homes for sale. A 90-day supply is considered optimal.

2. Fewer

Examining the Pros and Cons of Buying Versus Building a Home

Everybody loves getting brand-new things, especially if the new thing has been custom-made to fit your needs. However, whether it is a suit, a car, or a home, new things that are custom-made are more expensive and usually take longer to deliver. This is an important factor to consider when determining whether you should buy a house or have it custom-built.

A house is a major financial responsibility. Making the wrong decision could affect your budget and the level of happiness you have with your new home. The following are a few pros and cons of building a home versus purchasing one that's already built.

Is It Less Expensive to Build or Buy?

According to the National Association of

4 Red Flags Home Buyers Should Be Aware of

As of Dec. 2020, the median sales price of an American home is roughly $263,000. Although real estate pricing is highly influenced by geography, homes are expensive no matter where you live. During the home-buying process, it's normal to feel nervous. By keeping an eye peeled for these red flags, you'll have a much easier time avoiding problem homes.

1. Never Ignore Stubborn Doors

Homes usually have several interior doors. Traditionally outfitted on bedrooms, closets, and bathrooms, interior doors are primarily used for privacy or decor. Although you frequently use bathroom doors, you might overlook stubborn bedroom or closet doors. 

When touring homes, open and close every interior door at least

5 Questions to Ask the Seller When Buying a Property

Buying a piece of property is a big investment. If you have plans for it, you'll need to ask the seller some specific questions before proceeding with the transaction. The ability to make an informed decision will give you peace of mind and confidence in making the purchase of a property.

1. What Type of Zoning Does It Have?

When you're buying a single-family home, the zoning is clearly residential. However, if you're purchasing a property with no structures, you'll need to know if it's zoned for residential use, commercial use or a mix of these. The zoning will specify how you can use the property and what type of structure you can build on it.

2. Where Is the Property Line?

Before you

4 Things to Do Immediately After Buying a Property

As soon as you've signed your name on the paperwork to become the new owner of a property, your business isn't done. You'll still need to handle a lot of administrative tasks to protect yourself, your property and your rights as a property owner. Follow this list of four things to do immediately after acquiring a property.

1. Obtain Insurance

No matter what type of property you've just purchased, you need to insure it. Property owner's insurance provides you with liability coverage if someone gets hurt while on your property. If they were to file a lawsuit, and you didn't have insurance, they could come after your personal assets. Those assets include the property you just purchased. Homeowner's

Understanding Escrow When Buying or Selling a Home

When you buy or sell a home, there are several steps to the real estate transaction. Escrow is the period of time between when you sign a contingent agreement and when you close on the home. Escrow can also refer to a sum of money that a buyer places with the lender in good faith for completing the transaction. Escrow agents handle the escrow process. Whether you're the buyer or the seller, it's important to know the pros and cons of using escrow for the real estate transaction.

Escrow Instead of a Title Agent

You can use escrow in lieu of a title agent. A seller can choose this method of closing the purchase of a home. The escrow agent will prepare the title and deed. The escrow agent is

How to Visit an Open House During the COVID-19 Pandemic

When you're planning to buy a house, the best way to get a feel for the space, its flow and its size is to go there and see it for yourself. The home-buying process has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional open houses that attract a crowd of people aren't possible for now, so buyers, sellers and real estate agents have had to change the process of home tours and showings. Use these tips to navigate and plan for open houses while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Arrange a Real-Time Tour Conducted by the Agent

Just like you can make a private online shopping appointment with a small business, you could arrange a private online tour with a real estate agent. This would allow

4 Tips for Making an Offer That No Homeowner Could Refuse

In the real estate market, sellers readily turn down purchase offers. Seasoned negotiators use several strategies to sweeten offers to buy homes. Rather than letting your dream home get away, use these four tools to win over private sellers and real estate agents. 

1. Seek Pre-Approval for a Mortgage

While some people can afford homes without debt, most people get mortgages to buy homes. According to Zillow, more than 60% of American homeowners have mortgage debt. Real estate agents and private homeowners expect offers to come from prospective buyers with mortgage offers.

Even if you've received a quote from a loan officer, your mortgage might not be approved. Sellers would rather

3 Real Estate Trends You Should Watch For in 2021

The year 2020 has been a unique time for homebuyers. It was a year marked by low mortgage rates, increased buyer demand, and limited inventory. In-person open houses were replaced with virtual tours. Individuals who had been saving to purchase a home had to think twice about it as the economy took an unforeseen downturn.

Mortgage rates are expected to stay competitive in 2021. Likely, buyers are going to be interested in purchasing a new home. There are several trends that can be expected to emerge throughout 2021. Here are three examples.

1. An Increase in Housing Inventory 

The year 2020 had a limited selection of homes available. Some people felt uncomfortable moving out of their homes