The Triangle

Shopping For The Best Home Loan

Finding the perfect home is a task, but shopping for the best home loan can be even more tedious.  With so many lenders promising low rates, closing costs and little or no down payment requirements, it’s often difficult to know which way to turn.  Luckily, there are several steps that you can take to find the right lender for your individual needs.

Assess Your Situation

Do you know what your credit score is?  If not, you should.  Most lenders rely on this triple digit number to determine both your creditworthiness and interest rates.  If you have excellent credit, you can probably work with almost any lender.  If you have severe blemishes in your financial past, however, finding the right lender may require a little more footwork.

How much money do you have for a down payment?  If you are on a budget, you will need to choose a lender that can help to get you into a home with a minimal down payment.  Knowing where you stand will give you a good idea as to which lender you need to work with.

Compare Rates

As is the case with anything in life, it pays to shop wisely.  Because a home is the largest investment that most people will ever make, it stands to reason that comparison shopping is a must.  As you speak with various lenders, ask about their rates, loan terms, qualification process and down payment requirements.

Interest rates change often, which means locking in your rates when they are low can save you a bundle of money.  Because there are so many lenders competing for your business, you will be greeted with plenty of appealing offers, including low rates, closing costs and down payment requirements.

Demand The Best

You are the one buying the home, so you should be the one to choose the length of your loan term.  With the exception of a situation where payments are simply unaffordable, it’s up to you to decide how long you want to pay for a house.  Many homebuyers prefer a longer loan term to keep the payments low, while others want to get the home paid for as quickly as possible with a shorter term.  It’s important to keep in mind that the longer you pay for a home, the more money you will end up spending in interest.

It’s a good idea to talk to your lender about their willingness to accommodate your needs.  If you’re in doubt about which lender to choose or are new to the area and need a little guidance, ask your REALTOR® for a referral.  He/she knows the business and will be more than happy to assist you in making your dream of home ownership become a reality.  

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary, Apex, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, Mebane or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate, here to provide exceptional service with all your home buying and selling needs.  Please make sure to visit HPWtv and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle.

If you find these great tips interesting please check out my website at www.RaleighRealEstateSearch.com

Home Staging: Curb Appeal-Make The Best First Impression!

• Manicure the yard.

• Clean the windows, doors, and front entry.

• Plant flowers-tastefully, and abundantly!

• Pressure clean the exterior.

• Enhance and beautify with lighting.

• Reseal the driveways.

• Paint your house.

• Focus on the front door.

• Don’t forget the shutters.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary, Apex, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, Mebane or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate, here to provide exceptional service with all your home buying and selling needs.  Please make sure to visit HPWtv and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle.

If you find these great tips interesting please check out my website at www.RaleighRealEstateSearch.com

The Top Ten Professional Home Staging Tips

Every Homeowner Should Know

1.  Create the illusion of space by rearranging the furniture.  Try different combinations or remove and store pieces that make it feel crowded.

2.  Arrange the furniture in living areas into intimate groupings that suggest entertaining and ideal conversational settings.

3.  Consider rental furniture, especially when the pieces you have don’t match, are badly worn, or are in any state of disrepair.

4.  Add decorative pillows and slipcovers in warm neutral tones to hide flaws and make pieces blend.

5.  Eliminate clutter.  Store or get rid of appliances, gadgets, newspapers, mail or anything that takes up space or distracts attention.

6.  De-personalize your home so buyers can imagine living in it.  Store pictures, awards, trophies, collectibles, and other personal keepsakes.

7.  Paint walls in inviting neutral colors to cover flaws and freshen rooms.

8.  Add small luxurious touches to bathrooms and bedrooms.  Think plush towels, fresh flowers, high-end bed linens, and pretty bath soaps.

9.  Eliminate unpleasant odors and smells that can kill a sale.  Fragrant candles, plug-ins, and home sprays can help, but nothing smells better than clean.

10.   Plants add an aura of softness and warmth to any room.  Large or small, real   or silk-they’re a favorite of professional stagers.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary, Apex, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, Mebane or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate, here to provide exceptional service with all your home buying and selling needs.  Please make sure to visit HPWtv and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle.

If you find these great tips interesting please check out my website at www.RaleighRealEstateSearch.com

Home Buyer’s Checklist

If you can answer yes to the following questions, you may be ready for home ownership.  Your REALTOR® can help you to find the perfect home based on your individual needs.

• Have you been steadily employed for at least one year, but preferably two years?

• Do you plan to live in the home long enough to build equity?

• Can you provide a down payment and still have enough money left to pay for closing costs, utilities and home furnishings?

• Are you current on all debts, including auto loans, credit cards, etc.?

• In addition to any current debts that you may have, can you afford a monthly mortgage payment which will likely include property taxes and insurance?

• Do you have the time to devote to shopping for a home and comparing interest rates from various lenders?

• Have you checked your credit reports for inaccuracies and disputed anything that needs correction with each of the three major credit reporting agencies? 

The decision to buy or rent is a very personal one that can only be determined after a careful evaluation of your situation. A REALTOR® can show you the perfect home and a lender can tell you whether or not you can afford it, but it’s up to you to make the choice as to whether or not you are ready to make the move.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary, Apex, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, Mebane or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate, here to provide exceptional service with all your home buying and selling needs.  Please make sure to visit HPWtv and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle.

If you find these great tips interesting please check out my website at www.RaleighRealEstateSearch.com

One question I get from parents on a regular basis is where can I get some good information on the schools. Here is a resource I have been referring clients to for years and it shows report cards on North Carolina schools. Check it out at NC School Report Cards    

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary, Apex, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, Mebane or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate, here to provide exceptional service with all your home buying and selling needs.  Please make sure to visit HPWtv and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle.

If you find these great tips interesting please check out my website at www.RaleighRealEstateSearch.com