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

Buyers Wish Lists Changing Due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic swept around the globe unlike anything seen before. According to World O Meter, the beginning of October 2020 found more than 36 million cases and more than 1 million deaths from the virus with reports indicating that things will only get worse. As a way to curb cases, many schools sent students home to work online, including those in elementary through high school as well as college. As more students work from home, the preferences of buyers shopping for new homes changed too.

No More Open Layouts

Open layouts and floor plans were popular before the pandemic. You could invite friends over and entertain them as well as keep an eye on your family. As more families entered quarantine,

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

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

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

While social media and social network platforms have been great for reconnecting with friends, family members and individuals from across the globe, it serves a myriad of other purposes that can come in handy in everyday life. If you are currently in the market for a new home, consider using social network platforms to help you find a home that is not only within your price range but is also truly reflective of the home you envision for you and your family.

Let Your Network Know You're in the Real Estate Market

If you already have established social media accounts, reach out to your family members, friends and even your business associates to let them know that you are in the real estate market. Sharing a public post informing others that

When you are thinking about buying a home, location is likely to be one of the biggest factors in your decision. You might want to shorten your commute to work, live close to good schools or choose a home that is close to places you often visit, such as parks, libraries or shopping centers. Some people like a quiet, out-of-the-way neighborhood, while others want to be close to where the action is. Here are some of the pros and cons of relocating near a freeway.

Easy Commute

If you have to drive to and from work every day, living near a freeway might add convenience to your commute. Freeways are often the fastest way to travel a longer distance. You could avoid the hassle of stop-and-go traffic on city streets by using the freeway for as

Is there anything as emotionally enriching as moving into a new living space specially designed just for you? From the décor and floors to the kitchen countertops, you get to be in charge of customizing some aspects to fit your taste in your newly acquired home. While it’s relatively easy to be taken away by the ambiance of a new home, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons.

Advantages

• Advanced building standards: New building codes are being set up every other day in line with the recommended construction etiquette. It’s relatively easy to come across old homes that lack basic attics and safety measures. You can be assured of proper insulation and modern protective gear with any new home, though.

• Home warranties: Many