Metro Detroit Real Estate Blog

As you prepare your home for sale, you start to think about what buyers want and what they do not want. Unfortunately, many of the worst problems with a home may lie beyond your sight and may only be uncovered with a home inspection. With this list, you will have a better understanding of the kinds of issues that sit underneath the surface and could seriously affect the ability to sell a home.

Termites

Although you live in your home and spend most of your time in it, you do not see most of the structure. This is where insects like to build homes. Left unattended, termites can infest the wood structures of the property and eat them until they are unsafe, unsound and basically unlivable. The moment you realize you have a problem, it is far

Purchasing a home is an investment in the future for many home buyers. This is why parents, relatives, and others who are close to the buyers often want to help them with the purchase by making a cash gift. But using gifted funds to offset part of the cost of the purchase can lead to unforeseen consequences. Singles, couples, and families who are looking for a home to purchase or those who may be planning to do so soon can use the following information to help ensure their home buying process is not thrown off course by the offer of cash from a loved one. 

Understanding who can use gift funds

While the use of gifted funds is often mentioned in relation to first-time homebuyers, this money can also be used by repeat home buyers. Some of the

A favorable credit score can mean a lower mortgage interest rate when you’re looking to borrow for a home. When a lender is considering financing you, they look at your credit score to determine how risky it is. In short -the higher your credit score is, the lower the risk it is to the lender. As you’ve probably guessed it, borrowers with high credit scores reap the benefits by having a lower interest rate --and this is the ideal position. 

Working on raising your credit score can take some time, but it’s well worth the effort. Over the years, a low-interest rate can save you thousands of dollars! 

Use these simple tips to get started raising your credit score to one that will give you the lowest possible mortgage interest rate on your home

When the kids are grown and retirement looms, many homeowners begin to think about downsizing out of the large home where they raised their families. For some,  the move to a smaller home represents a more economical or convenient lifestyle, while for others, selling can offer the freedom to choose a new area to call home, an opportunity to move into a retirement development, or even a chance to spend time traveling. No matter what the reason may be, every homeowner who chooses to downsize probably dreads the actual process. If you are one of the many homeowners who will be downsizing this year, the following five tips can help streamline the actual move and while also making the home selling process faster and easier. 

Decide what to keep with

One of the most common assumptions we hear is that “you need 20% cash down payment in order to buy a home”. This couldn’t be further from the truth –  there are many different lenders and loan programs that require little to no down payment, regardless of your income level!

If you'd like to be a homeowner in 2017 and the only thing keeping you renting is a lack of a 20% cash down payment, there is a loan solution for you!

 Not only are there multiple loan programs available today that require less than 20% down; many of these loan programs have competitive terms for borrowers with less than perfect credit. No matter what your income level, credit history or cash on hand as down payment, there is likely a mortgage loan product out there for you. 

A red-hot housing market can be discouraging for buyers. Homes a buyer is interested in may go on sale in the morning and be snatched up by the afternoon. To get an edge on the competition, consider going to resources that other buyers may not think of: houses not currently being offered for sale. Should buyers look at homes that are not for sale? How is it done? There are times when this is a good strategy that can land buyers with a home that others may miss.

Learn About the Local Market

Following the housing market in the local area can give buyers more information about how hard it is to buy a home. If a buyer is looking for a specific type of home or one in a specific area, they may find that a housing search can take a year or more.

Buying a house in a sellers' market can be frustrating. Inventory is low, demand is high, and properties seem to sell as soon as they hit the listings. As the housing market has continued to recover, some markets have begun to really heat up. Demand, interest rates, and prices are all up across the nation while inventory is low. Rising demand and falling supply is great news for anyone looking to sell their home quickly for top dollar. While the news isn't as rosy for buyers, advance preparation is the key to making a great deal on a house you love. 

Start with Your Last, Best, and Final Offer

Human beings seem to be hard-wired to want the very best deal they can get. Whether it is a dream home or an automobile, they look at the sticker price

Many home buyers and sellers assume that closing costs are a set part of your total home purchase or sale price, and don’t give these fees (which can sometimes be thousands of dollars) much of a second thought. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, you want to make sure that you maximize your financial experience – either saving or keeping the most money possible. You are shopping around for the best mortgage rates and terms right? As part of that why not also shop around for the lowest closing costs?

Are closing costs negotiable?

For the most part: yes! There is no specific state or federal law which sets the total amount you’ll pay for closing costs. What is required by law? Mortgage lenders are required by law to provide you with a “Loan

When you prepare to sell a property, you want to be sure that it is in ideal condition before you list it. People who own homes in remote places have to do the same, even if they live 1,000 miles away. With these tips, you can get your home into top shape for selling, even if you cannot be the one to do it.

Consider the Tax Implications

Any owned home can be liable for capital gains taxes once it's sold. However, homes no longer occupied as a primary residence are more likely to trigger that tax liability. Capital gains taxes are levied on the sale of many kinds of property. Sellers are required to pay taxes on the difference between the price they paid and the final sale price of the home once they sell. If the home was a primary residence

Buying a first home can be overwhelming, however, smart planning and preparation can help reduce stress and may make the process faster and easier. If you’re a first time home buyer, these tips will help you get started with the home-buying process.

Find a Lender and Gather Your Paperwork

Lenders require a lot of paperwork and go through many steps to verify that a home buyer is capable of making monthly payments for a mortgage. Getting started early with this process can help ensure that you’re ready to make an offer when the right home comes along.

Start by finding a lender. Get the best deal by shopping around. Contact lenders with good reputations in the community. Before calling loan officers, write down any questions you may have