Real estate transactions can be complex and often require the expertise of many different people, from lenders to licensed contractors. Realtors can help you navigate the whole experience by providing support within the scope of their license, and by referring you to others as needed. Public Records Search One way Realtors can support buyers is … Read more
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying, its condition, and all the expenses you’ll be expected to cover. Real estate transactions can be complex and often require the expertise of many different people, from lenders to licensed contractors. Realtors can help you navigate the whole experience, providing … Read more
As a board member of a statewide organization, I must sign an annual confidentiality agreement. This year, rather than signing a paper document, I received a request for an electronic signature. If you’ve read this column for any length of time, you know one of my favorite sayings: In any agreement, the large print giveth … Read more
Folks have been asking whether they should be concerned about a housing bubble bursting like it did in 2008. Rest assured–there is no housing bubble. Market indicators are very different than they were in 2008. Let me take you through it step by step. Recent interest rate hikes have caused housing prices to drop a … Read more
Oftentimes, I share real estate information from the perspective of either the buyer or the seller, but what if you’re both? Unless you’re a first-time homebuyer, chances are you’ll need to sell your current home to fund the purchase of your next one, and that complicates things. My first piece of advice is to forget … Read more
Many people want simple answers to their simple questions, but sometimes that is not possible. In real estate, as in so many things in life, seemingly simple questions can open the door to complex issues. Here are a few common questions regarding home buying that require a nuanced response. What’s the best amount for a … Read more
If your Realtor seems cagey about advising you on certain aspects of your purchase agreement, they may be navigating that tricky line between supporting you and inadvertently practicing law without a license. I recently attended a class taught by a real estate attorney and he made it clear in no uncertain terms that Realtors need … Read more
To qualify for a home loan, you’ve got to convince a lender that you’re worth the risk. Lenders look at the size of the loan you want, how much money you have, how much income you earn, how much debt you carry, and whether you’ve repaid loans in the past to make their determination. To … Read more
Recently, an experienced Realtor shared a story that is all too familiar. A community member, let’s call him Joe, approached her asking for advice about his real estate transaction, even though he had hired someone else (a personal friend) to be his Realtor. He was upset when she told him she couldn’t help him, because … Read more