Rowland

Five tips for first-time buyers

April 6, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

No matter how much time you spend on researching and educating yourself about your home purchase, it’s hard to cover every detail. Here are a few tips for avoiding rookie mistakes with your first home purchase.

1. Save as early as you can: Even if you think you’re years away from buying your first home, try to start saving for your down payment. It makes a huge difference in your monthly payments, and helps avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance.

2. Be thorough with mortgage shopping: There are countless resources out there that can help you get the best terms for your mortgage. It may seem like a lot of work to shave less than a point off your mortgage rate, but it’ll save you thousands in the long run.

3. Consult a skeptic: You’re likely to fall in love with a home, and that can make it difficult to take problems seriously. Bring along a skeptical friend or family member who can give you an honest opinion.

4. Be patient with getting settled: You’ll be anxious to make your new home your own, but take some time to see how your budget truly shakes out. In other words, hold off on big furniture purchases and remodeling projects.

5. Make sure you’re happy with the neighborhood: The house may be perfect, but don’t discount the surroundings. You don’t want to end up in the suburbs if you’re going to miss walking to your favorite coffee shop, and you don’t want to settle for the city if you’re looking forward to some peace and quiet.

No Time Like The Present

March 23, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

Thinking about buying your first home, or perhaps upgrading from your current place? Thanks to the current economic climate and game-changing technology in the housing market, now is the perfect time to take the plunge.

Low interest rates
Lenders are giving buyers mortgage rates that are extremely enticing—you can get a mortgage below 4.0%. There’s a good chance these are the lowest mortgage rates we’ll see in a long time, which means affordability is at a high.

Prices are on their way up
Mortgage rates may be low, but housing prices are getting higher and higher because of demand—prices increased 5.1% year-over-year in November 2015. If you’re thinking about buying, delaying a few years could lead to a higher purchase price, or getting less home for your money.

A great job market
The United States added 2.65 million jobs in the last year. There’s increasing job security and available work, leading to high consumer confidence.

Technology makes buying simpler and less expensive
Along with listing websites like Zillow and Trulia, there are an increasing number of websites and apps that simplify the process, make it easier to shop around for homes and mortgages, and save you money.

Cheap fuel
Lower gas and energy prices mean more money in your pocket and more purchasing power. The money you’re not putting into your gas tank or toward your utilities can instead go toward saving for a down payment or affording a bigger monthly mortgage payment.

Keep Your Property in Top Shape Year Round

February 22, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

Boost your home’s curb appeal and improve the livability of your property with these helpful tips.

In the spring:

Fertile the lawn and plants
Clean your outdoor furniture
Service your lawn mower
Prepare your garden beds and plant colorful flowers
Trim and prune shrubs and trees
Move potted plants outside
Mow the lawn
Sweep decks and patios

In the summer:

Plant flowers and vegetables
Mow the lawn
Weed your garden, lawn and flower beds
Seep decks and patios

In the fall:

Rack your leaves and clear branches and other debris
Put away your lawn mower, and perform maintenance on your snow blower
Cover temperature sensitive shrubs and put mulch in the garden
Bring weather-sensitive potted plants inside
Drain outdoor spigots and put hoses away
Repair cracks in your driveway to prevent damage
Sweep decks and patios

In the winter:

Clear walkways and driveway of snow
Salt or sand walkways and stairs
Find and remove icicles
Remove snow from roof

Three Benefits of Pricing Your Home Right

February 8, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

Spring is a popular time for sellers to list their homes for sale. Listing your home involves more than getting it ready for its close-up with potential buyers; to get buyers through the door, the home must be listed at the right price.

It may sell faster. A well-priced home not only captures the attention of potential buyers, it also prompts interested buyers to act. The sooner they act, the more likely one of them will make an offer and get the process underway.
You’ll target the right buyers. If the price is right, your home will attract the right buyers who can afford your home.
Your home may sell for closer to its list price. When a home is priced well, interested buyers will see its value and may submit an o er at or close to your list price. In some areas, a well-priced home may even set off a bidding war among interested buyers.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, call me for a free comparable market analysis of your property. Remember, I’m never too busy for your referrals!

Oops, I Dropped My Smartphone!

January 25, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

No matter how careful we are, accidents can happen at any time. Since many of us carry our smartphones in our hands, pockets or purses, it only takes a second for them to fall to the floor and sustain damage. It’s also easy to lose them. But, there may be hope. Here’s what to do if you drop or lose your phone:

I BROKE MY SCREEN! If you shatter your screen, you may need to get a new phone. However, if you’re brave and handy with a screwdriver, you may be able to replace your screen relatively cheaply, or hire a professional to do it for you. But, be aware that if you crack your screen or try to repair it yourself, you may void your phone’s warranty.

MY PHONE TOOK A SWIM! Put it in a bag of rice immediately and take it to the phone store ASAP. Whatever you do, do not try to dry it with a hairdryer, or place it in the oven or microwave. This will do more harm than good.

I LOST MY PHONE! If you can’t remember where you put your phone, call it and follow the ringing sound. If you have an iPhone or iPad, use the Find my iPhone® app to locate your device. For Android users, free apps such as Lookout® and Webroot SecureAnywhere Mobile® help to locate your phone and can wipe it clean of data. If your phone has been lost or stolen, call your carrier right away and tell them to disable it to prevent thieves from gaining access to your information. Also, file a police report, which may be required by your carrier.

Five Things to Consider Before you Make an Offer

January 12, 2016 By Rowland Leave a Comment

So, you’ve found a home you’d like to purchase. Perhaps it was love at 1st sight and you knew that this house was the one before you even walked inside. Or maybe it took a little longer and you had to make a few visits to the home to be sure. Here are five things to consider before we write an offer.

Learn more about the community.When you purchase a home, you’re also buying into the neighborhood. Go online and read the local newspapers to gain an overall insight on the area. Drive around the neighborhood and talk to the neighbors. It’s also a good idea to drive past the home at different times of the day so that you can see how quiet or noisy the neighborhood is.
See what amenities are nearby. While you’re driving around the neighborhood, take note of any shops, parks or other amenities that are nearby.
Get a sneak peek at your commute. If you’re moving further away from where you work, try driving the distance from work to the new home and back during your usual commute time. This will give you an idea of how much time you’ll spend on the road once you’re in your new digs. If you want to learn more about our local housing market, call me! I’ll be happy to help you find the right home for you.
Find out if there are additional expenses. Don’t be surprised by unexpected expenses. Find out if there are supplemental taxes, homeowner association dues or other fees associated with the home.
Check out the schools. A good school district may improve your home’s value, regardless of whether or not you have children.

If you want to learn more about our local housing market, call me! I’ll be happy to help you find the right home for you.

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