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…

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As a homeowner, you take pride in your property and want to do everything that you can to protect it, and keep it looking great. You may even have a long list of maintenance items that you work on to keep the value of your house from going down. For the best care, pest control should be at the top of your list.

Pests can damage your home, and cost you thousands of dollars. Whether you are in your “forever home” or planning on selling in a few years, removing and fortifying yourself against these invaders is important. They can destroy load bearing beams, flooring, and nest in insulation. Once you have these unwelcome house guests, they can be hard to get rid of.

The Greenville area is home to many insects and animals that are classified as pests…

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Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest expenses most people will make in their lifetime. Even though it is a huge financial responsibility, almost half of new home buyers don't put in the necessary time to compare different lenders to find the best rate.

These days, there are more options to consider than traditional credit unions, banks and mortgage brokers. Many home buyers are turning to the internet to find mortgage lenders. It can be intimidating to think about taking out a huge mortgage from an online lender. Below are some of the pros and cons of using an online mortgage company to take into consideration.

Pros Of Using An Online Mortgage Company

1. Lower Interest Rates Available

One of the main advantages of an online mortgage…

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8 Things to Consider Before Renting to Tenants

There are great reasons for renting an apartment that is above the garage of your home to earn extra cash, or alternatively, you might want to take an extended vacation abroad while renting your entire home to tenants. If you want to make money from your Greenville home, then there are several things that you should do first.

Check Your Local Zoning Regulations

Before you rent a room or an entire home, you must check the local zoning regulations. You may need a permit to rent to tenants, and in some cases, an inspection of your property is required first. Failing to follow these guidelines can lead to financial fines or other penalties.

Check Your Tax Situation

When you are renting a home or a…

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The housing market is doing well at the moment, but lenders still consider a 20-percent down payment as optimal for most would-be home buyers. That said, fewer and fewer Americans have instant access to potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in liquidity.

In fact, most homeowners have their net worth wrapped predominately in the home itself, which creates something of a quandary for those looking to buy their first home or invest in their dream home.

You might be wondering - How are first-time homeowners able to come up with enough money for a down payment while having money left over for renovations and mortgage payments? There are also property taxes to factor in. Bearing that in mind, there are a lot of ways to come up with more money for…

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Moving can often be an overwhelming and stressful process. You can easily forget important steps you need to complete, and you might be left rushing around trying to get everything together at the last moment. Moving to a new place can often be challenging because you will have to acclimate to your new surroundings. Therefore, it can be beneficial if you are well-prepared for moving ahead of time. This will make the process much simpler and will allow you to focus your attention on adjusting to your new environment. The following information will provide a closer look at ten helpful tips for making your move more efficient and successful:

Use Color-Coded Box Labels

Marking all of your boxes with color-coded labels is a great way to streamline your…

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Dealing with demanding home buyers or sellers can be a daunting task. Below are a few tips to guide you when dealing with difficult buyers or sellers.

Listen

Listening is a sign of respect and professionalism. You will know about the concerns of the seller or buyer and whether they are legitimate. Don't interrupt them when talking to avoid a misunderstanding even when you know where they are aiming. This way, you will be showing them that you care. Encourage them to be open and transparent for clarity. Additionally, you ought to ask questions and support their statements. As an agent, you have to be straightforward when communicating whether it is a text or verbally. You should use a professional language when dealing with first-time clients because…

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Buying your first home is exhilarating. It's also the biggest investment you'll likely ever make, and probably the biggest one you've made so far. It's easy, whether from excitement or lack of knowledge, to make mistakes that you regret down the road.

Here are 4 common mistakes that you can avoid making:

1. Go to only one lender

Particularly if you've heard that each inquiry affects your credit score, you may be tempted to go to just one lender and hope for the best. Putting all your eggs in one basket like this is a bad idea. Ideally, you should talk to at least one national bank, one local bank or credit union, and an online lender. If you're concerned about your credit score taking a hit from the inquiries, consider hiring a broker instead -…

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The kids are bored. You are tired of the same old scenery. Everyone just needs to get away for a while. However, the budget or work and school schedules will only allow for a day trip somewhere close by. That is not a problem. Greenville, South Carolina is close to lots of great activities for you and your family to enjoy. Try these four suggestions and then venture out for your own adventures:

1. Riverbanks Zoo

See giraffe's, zebras and polar bears as you stroll along paved paths at the Riverbanks Zoo. Just 1 1/2 hours from Greenville, this Columbia attraction is a great way to get in some fresh air, some exercise and some excitement - all in one spot. Kids love the African Savannah reproduction, a 2-acre reproduction where lions and baboons roam…

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The real estate market is dynamic and exciting in various parts of the country. Although every area is different, there are similarities throughout the country. Buying a home is one of the most important investments that a person can make. The current real estate market trends are preventing some people from buying a home.

  •         Lack of Inventory
  •         Rising Housing Prices
  •         Relaxed Lending Standards

Lack of Inventory

One of the biggest trends in the market today is a lack of available inventory. There are numerous buyers who want to purchase a home in many areas. However, there are simply not enough homes on the market. Home builders are not building enough new homes to keep up with demand from buyers.

The current lack…

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