A: Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage before you start your home search can help set you up for success. It can help you figure out how much you can afford so you will begin your home search by looking at homes that comfortably fit in your budget. When the right house comes along, you will be ready to make a serious offer which will be more likely to be accepted than someone making an offer still needing to find a loan.

A: First start gathering information together to give to your lender so they can get started getting you pre-qualified.
a) Check your credit for free at www.annualcreditreport.com Correct any errors on that report. You can dispute any incorrect information yourself right on the website. They will investigate it and change it if needed.
b) You will need to know all of your current expenses. Anything you spend money on- make a list and how much is paid for each one.
c) Make a list of any assets you have. Savings accounts, retirement accounts, boats, campers, autos, other homes, etc. List them and their value.
d) List your income from all sources. and how much.
e) Find the last 3 years tax returns. Have them ready for the banker.
f) Get your last 3 months of paycheck stubs together. If you're self-employed, the bank will need your bank statements.
g) List your liabilities- things that you owe money on, loans, and how much they are.
h) The lender will run your credit report- During your mortgage loan application process, the lender performs a Credit Check that requires them to obtain and confirm information regarding your personal and financial background. This Credit Check includes, but is not limited to, your marital status, number of dependents, current and past employers, current deposit accounts, current and past consumer credit accounts, and your mortgage and/or rental history.

A: Our office can provide you with a current market analysis of your home's value.. Our agents would be happy to come to your home and discuss your options and explain the home selling process. They can also assist you in your search for a new home. Explain the whole process from beginning to end. Answer any of your questions.

A: One of the most important things to do before putting your home up for sale is to take care of the little "easy" things. Make a list of things that need to be repaired- leaky faucets, chipped paint, loose hinges and knobs and fix those. You should consider a fresh coat of paint, carpet cleaning, wash the windows, etc. Declutter the yard by removing toys and lawn furniture you're not using every day. Declutter the interior. Make things neat and tidy. Mow the lawn, rake the leaves, plant flowers to add color (hack- fake flowers from dollar store look fine "planted" in the yard) Paint the doors and window trim. Consider getting your home inspected before it goes on the market. Sellers are required to disclose everything- and you will have the ability to fix things before buyers see your home. It also gives more confidence to your buyers when they finally make their offer!

A:

Unseen Problems

While the home may look to be in excellent shape, the home’s aesthetics can hide real problems. You need an inspector to climb into the attic and inch around in the crawl space. The inspector can discover real and expensive problems that are not always apparent when you view the home.

More Options

When you and the seller reach an agreement on the home, you are under some legal obligation to finalize the sale. A home inspection gives you ways to get out of the deal. Once the home inspector completes a report, you can renegotiate with the seller. You might want to have certain items repaired, or you could seek to have the cost of the home reduced. If an agreement is not reached on the items in the report, you can back out of the deal.

Structural Problems

The home inspector will look at the foundation and other structural elements of the house. If the house is not structurally sound, the inspection report will identify the problems.

4- Leaks

The report will point out any problems with the roof or the plumbing. Water leaks can cause major damage in a short amount of time. You don't want to be the one repairing the water damage. Remember, it was water that carved out the Grand Canyon!

Safety

An important part of the home inspection is to make sure the home is safe. The inspector will look at the electrical system and make sure it is in proper working order. If you choose to get a radon test, you will understand if the radon levels in the house are at safe levels. Radon is an odorless gas that can cause lung disease. Water leaks can cause mold, and some molds can be hazardous to your health. Termites can cause major structural damage. Gas leaks are very dangerous to have, so gas lines, gas furnaces and water heaters need to be inspected to keep your family safe.

Maintenance Costs

A home requires ongoing maintenance. Things wear out and break. When putting together a budget for buying a home, you need to include maintenance costs. The amount of money that you budget will depend on the home’s condition. A newer home is less likely to need maintenance than an older home. Most inspection reports include the cost of deferred maintenance. These are things that will have pending replacements in the next five years. You will want to know what these are so you can plan to address them later.

Peace of Mind

An inspection report guarantees that you understand the condition of the home when the sale finalizes which can ultimately bring you peace of mind. All in all, you don’t want any major surprises shortly after moving into your new home. Even homes being sold as-is should have home inspections. You need to know what all the problems are before you buy it, just don't expect the seller to fix anything in an as-is sale contract. Foreclosures, Auction, and Estate sale homes are often sold as-is. Our agents can talk with you, and address your concerns and questions. We have done this many times, and we understand how confusing things can be buying or selling a home. Our agents can guide you through the whole process, bringing you additional Peace of Mind.