Tag Archives: home buyers

Understanding What Counts as Debt When Applying for a Mortgage

A person calculating out her debt-to-income ratio.

When you apply for a mortgage, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) will play a vital role. The mortgage lenders will review your credit profile and check the DTI ratio to assess your affordability. So, the debt-to-income ratio will indicate how much debt you carry, such as credit card balances, payday loans, medical bills, personal loans, and utility bills against your monthly income.

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How to Choose a Property with Ideal Features for Your Emotional Support Animal

A man in his living room with his emotional support animal.

If the time is approaching to find a new home for yourself and your beloved emotional support animal (ESA), you will want to look for a property where you will be safe, comfortable, and happy. It goes without saying that your animal’s needs differ greatly from your own, so it’s vital that you find a home that has the best features for you both.

Not quite sure what to look for? Fear not—we have put together a handy guide to choosing a property with ideal features for your ESA.

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Real Estate Experts and Why You Should Make Use of One

A couple speaking with a real estate expert while looking at homes for sale.

Thinking of buying or selling a property? You should consider working with a real estate expert to help ensure each element of the transaction runs smoothly. There is not just a single type of realty expert- there are many, and which ones you will need depends on your situation and goals.

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Investing in History: How to Prepare for Buying a Historic Home

A historic home from Savannah, Georgia.

There are few things as charming as a historic home. Their unique charm, character, and rich sense of history make them highly desirable for many homebuyers. While historic homes are undeniably appealing, purchasing one requires thoughtful consideration and preparation. Understanding preservation regulations and anticipating renovation challenges are crucial aspects of navigating the purchase of a historic home, which is where a home inspector comes into play.

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Downsizing Tips for Empty Nesters

Two empty nesters packing up their kitchen so they can downsize homes.

It happens to many families: after a lifetime of kids, a lifetime of memories, and a lifetime’s worth of stuff, you are suddenly faced with a space that feels too large and cluttered. Sure, your house was the perfect place to raise your family, but do you still need a three or four-chair dinner set? How about that clean, empty bedroom you are no longer using? If you suddenly find yourself with more space than you need, downsizing may be a good idea.

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Buy a Home with These Features to Avoid Renovations

A couple searching for a new home with minimal renovations required.

Gravitating toward move-in ready homes when house hunting has numerous merits. These properties are good to go — even though they may need some facelifts to look more presentable. More importantly, these residences are less likely to require costly renovations for a long time.

Moving into a house you do not need to renovate is underrated. Buying and relocating to your new home can be a significant expense — not to mention the time and energy required to close the deal and transfer your belongings to a different address.

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Settle Into Your New, Post-Retirement Home with These Tips

A couple unpacking in their new, post-retirement home.

Moving into a new house can be exciting, but it can also be an intimidating adventure, especially for seniors who have just retired. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting fresh, but don’t let that stop you from embracing this new change and making your new home feel like your own. In this article, Realty Executives shares some tips on how to quickly settle into a new house and make it feel like home after a post-retirement move.

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Traits to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent standing with her clients.

If you are searching for a new home or looking to list a property, it is important to have a real estate agent by your side. However, a real estate agent needs to exhibit several traits before he or she earns your business. While almost all agents are passionate about their jobs and will do anything to help their clients, it is important to find the right fit. This blog will help you select a realtor by listing several traits you should look for when choosing a real estate agent.

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A Dog Owner’s Guide to House Hunting

A family with their dog thinking about their future house hunt.

Searching for the perfect home can be a stressful process. So many things need to align for it to be successful- it needs to be the right time, you need to be in a good financial situation, and then there are all the home showings to schedule! But what happens when you add one more thing to the mix, specifically a dog? Looking for a home just for people is one thing but looking for a home suitable for pets is different. Dogs have their own needs, and you must ensure your new home can fulfill them.

If you are a first-time home buyer and don’t have any prior experience with this, it can be a little confusing. So, we created a short dog owner’s guide to house hunting to give you a better idea of what to do.

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Soothing Tips for Anxious First-Time Home Buyers

Two people standing next to a door mat that reads "First Time Buyer."

A lot of practical yet stressful work needs to be done when buying a home- such as paperwork, dealing with banks, getting a mortgage approval, etc. As a result, it is easy to forget that home buying is also a significant emotional labor. There can be fear and doubt, which is expected because buying is a significant financial decision. It is also exciting and symbolic of a new beginning in someone’s life. This is especially true for people who are buying their first home.

Don’t let nerves stop you from fulfilling your goal of buying your dream home! Read on for soothing tips for anxious first-time home buyers.

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