For many people, owning a home is a long-time dream. As one of the benefits to veterans of the United States armed forces, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs offers mortgage loans. Typically called VA loans, these mortgages have some different rules and distinct advantages when they are compared to conventional mortgage loans. Here are some of the benefits of buying a home with a VA loan.

No Down Payment Required

If you qualify for a VA loan, you do not have to make a down payment when buying a house. For many people, saving the typical 20% down payment required for a conventional loan is a challenge. High rents make it difficult to set enough aside for a 20% down payment. A VA loan allows you to finance the entire

Greenville is one of those small towns with that big city atmosphere. The town offers everyone plenty of action. Whether going out for the nightlife or seeking a popular dining establishment, those who come to visit can find an assortment of things to do.

1. The Heart of Downtown

People love to walk through the downtown district during the day and night. They enjoy the large sidewalks and popular restaurants for outdoor dining. Greenville is a friendly area to associate with visitors and residents. Plenty of shopping opportunities are available for those who prefer to purchase items to take home. Downtown Greenville is buzzing with patrons until late at night.

2. A Strong Economy Offering Excellent Employment Opportunity

Choosing to sell your property is a big decision for many people. Looking at ways to better increase the chance of your property is well worth the effort. A few negative things can make a significant impact on the success of making a sale. Understanding the most common things buyers will notice is a good way to help you complete a sale.

Here are a few of the top things that potential buyers notice when they look at a property.

1. Poor Landscaping

One of the first things that a potential buyer will notice is the landscaping of a property. Keeping the yard mowed and well-maintained is a great way to make a positive first impression. Trimming shrubs and trees can also play a key role in creating a powerful first impression for

You can qualify as a first-time homebuyer even if you have owned a home before. This means you may qualify for first-time homebuyer benefits and loans if you haven’t owned your principal residence for the last three years or more. These benefits include low or no down payment FHA loans, VA loans, USDA Loans, renovation loans and other programs for first-time homebuyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average age for first-time homebuyers is 32 years. 

Real Estate Is a Good Investment

If you have the income and time to become a homeowner, you will have a good investment for your future. Buying a home is usually the biggest investment a person makes in his or her life. This is why you need a plan to enter the

Buying a house is one of the largest purchases, if not the largest purchase you will make in your life. Before signing your name on the mortgage documents, it is wise to spend some time doing your homework. In addition to having the property and house inspected for structural and pest problems, it is also a good idea to look at other factors that could affect your enjoyment, safety and use of the property and home.

Review Local Crime Statistics

Whether you have children or you like to spend time walking outdoors in the neighborhood, it is a wise move to review local crime statistics. Take a look at both bodily injury crimes and property crimes. Chances are good that as a homeowner, you might occasionally forget to lock your windows, or you

Given the advancements in technology, you might find it interesting to know that many home buyers remain interested in features that have been popular for decades. While there are some tech-focused features, other trends are for the purpose of convenience. Let’s delve a bit deeper into home buying trends.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy efficiency is a big deal when buying a home. It’s something that can save you money every single month. Buyers understand this fact and want a smart home that contains energy-efficient appliances. This includes Energy Star certified heating and cooling systems. An energy-efficient home will likely do well on the market. Although windows are not considered an appliance, buyers are often interested in making sure

There are several tax benefits of buying a home.

Interest

The first benefit is that all of the interest that you pay on the mortgage will be considered a deductible. This is as long as the mortgage that you have on the home is not over $750,000. The deduction is simple to do no matter if you are doing your taxes yourself or having a professional to do them. Plus, you are going to be able to include the interest that you paid as part of the closing of your home. All of this will be found on the settlement sheet.

Property taxes

The second benefit is some of the money that you have paid on your property taxes are also deductible on your taxes. At one time, you had the ability to deduct all of your taxes but now based on the new tax laws, you will

Buying real estate involves more than just finding an available house or plot of land. Most buyers simply find what they want, make an offer, and go from there. But it’s wise to do a land survey first before buying a plot of land with or without a house on it. The land survey will reveal important things about the property you need to know.

The Importance of a Land Survey

A land survey tells you exactly what you’re getting. The surveyor will measure property boundaries to make sure they’re correct. Otherwise, you could actually get less than what you’re expecting. The surveyor can also determine if nearby driveways, sidewalks, fences, or other structures are on the property.

The survey is also important because someone might have a building or

Before a buyer chooses a home, there are certain conditions that they should be aware of. Most real estate agents can guide a buyer to a better selection, but if the buyer wants to look for their own home, they should read about the statistics within the neighborhood before moving into a home. Since a buyer is looking to purchase a home, there are additional facts to consider. Some of those facts are:

• deteriorating houses in the neighborhood
•  no street lights
•  no caution lights
•  no traffic lights
•  drugs in the neighborhood
•  no friendly neighbors
•  increased crime rates
•  people speeding through the neighborhood
•   poor lawn service
•   loud noises

A buyer can usually find statistics about a neighborhood in the local

There are a lot more options to buying a home than you might think. Prospective buyers will narrow in on amenities and square footage based on the budget at their disposal, but there are plenty of other factors to consider. It can be a truly intimidating task, especially considering the financial investment involved.

That is why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the pros and cons of two of the most common options for buying a home: building a custom home and buying pre-owned. While the better option will depend on your situation, this guide should help you determine which route will best suit your needs.

Building a Custom House

Pros:

The biggest perk of building a custom house is being in control of every detail. You can add