Buying a Home
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Top tips to help first-timers navigate the fast-paced housing market
(BPT) - Across the U.S., the housing market is picking up pace moving into the peak of the summer homebuying season.
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A primer for first-time homebuyers
Finally ready to take the plunge? Join the club. After having waited on the sidelines for what seemed like forever, first-time homebuyers last year made 38 percent of all U.S. single-family home purchases - the biggest share since 2000 - and the 2.07 million new or existing houses they bought ended up being 7 percent more than in 2016, Bloomberg.com reported. "Pent-up demand" is how the news site described it, citing Millennials as one of the driving forces.
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5 home-buying tips for first-timers and old-timers
(BPT) - Whether you are buying a home for the first time or you are just looking for an upgrade, it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with tips that can make your search go from overwhelming to enjoyable. Rather than learning the hard way about hidden expenses and difficult neighbors, there are things you can do to feel more confident as you begin your search.
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House hunting? Use this handy checklist before you make the offer
(BPT) - House hunting can feel like an adventurous new chapter in your life. If you're lucky enough to find the property that checks off all the "must have" boxes - appearance, size, price, location - it's easy to fall in love.
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Questions to ask before buying a home
Buying a house is a huge decision. Obviously, you want a place that you and your family will love to live in, but it's essential to let your choice be guided by your head at least as much as by your heart. After all, a home purchase is likely to be the biggest financial investment you make in your life. So be sure to ask your real estate broker these questions before you even think of signing on the bottom line. Why are the owners selling and what is their timeframe?
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Tips for choosing the right mortgage
Homebuying can be a stressful or uncertain business at times. In today's market, there's much debate about what type of mortgage to get - an adjustable-rate or a fixed mortgage - and how do you know when it's time to consider refinancing an adjustable-rate mortgage? Market Street Mortgage, one of the nation's leading retail originators of residential mortgage loans, offers these tips:
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Financing
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How to handle rising interest rates in 2018
(BPT) - The nation's central bank - the Federal Reserve - just raised interest rates by a quarter point. The Fed is expected to raise rates at least two more times this year by the same amount. That's going to affect a lot of your finances, including your credit card bill, car payment and home equity line of credit. But don't panic. Rates will still be below historical averages, and you can eliminate the impact of higher rates, or lessen them, with some careful planning.
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Selling a Home
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4 ways hardscapes can add value to your home
(BPT) - Outdoor hardscape projects add resale value to a home as well as bring extra enjoyment to homeowners while they are living in the home, according to the "Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features" by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). The report confirms that investing in landscaping and hardscaping is a win-win, whether you plan to stay in your home or prepare it for market.
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These are the best trees when selling your house
Believe it or not, the types of trees in your yard can impact your ability to sell your home.
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3 ways to increase property values
By Kevin Amolsch Real estate investors live and die by their ability to add value. With no added value, there are no profits. This is true with any business, but what makes real estate such a great business and a great investment, is the number of ways you can add value and cash in on big profits. Here are three ways you can add value to your properties. Upgrades and Repairs
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Keep your home buyer-ready with these cleaning tips
When listing your home for sale it's important to keep it in good shape for when prospective buyers want to tour the house. Take a look at these tips from Realtor.org and Houselogic on how to keep your home clean while it's listed on the market.
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Building a Home
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Things to consider when building a home
By Mike Blake Working with a team of custom home builders can be a fun process as first time home owners design their dream house. Most people that choose to build their own house have no idea how many options they have until they realize that they truly have a blank slate, and that they have the option to add whatever they would like to on it.
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Look before you buy: Virtual reality comes to home improvement
(NewsUSA) - You're about to shell out a significant amount of money to upgrade your house, and the choices make your head spin. Traditional asphalt or slate shingles? Summer blue or teardrop blue paint for the walls?
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Remodeling your home? Be ready for the following
Remodeling a home can be quite a project, one that promises beautiful outcome. As a family grows or we need different, more streamlined space for various needs, remodeling can be a great help.
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What you need to know when building a home
Building a home can be an exciting experience - but it can also be a little stressful. To make sure you are prepared for what to expect when you start building a home, take a look at these tips.
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Commercial Realestate
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Credit tips for buying an investment property
(BPT) - If you love the idea of being a landlord, and don't mind being on duty around the clock, buying an investment property may be the wealth-building option for you. Property values have enjoyed a steady increase over the decades. That's why real estate has earned its reputation as a sound investment that builds wealth and credit.
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What real estate metrics are key?
When assessing commercial real estate property take a look at these key metrics. Net Operating Income (NOI): This is found by calculating the property's first year gross operating income and subtracting the year's operating expenses. The goal for this metric is to have a positive value. Cap Rate: The capitalization rate shows the value of income-producing properties - like office buildings and malls. The cap rate helps estimate the future profits made on the building.
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Pros and cons of owning different commercial properties
Looking to invest in commercial real estate, but don't know which property type to consider? Here's a comprehensive guide on the five most common types of commercial properties. Multifamily (Apartment Buildings) Multifamily refers to apartment buildings of all sizes. It is categorized into garden apartments, walk-up apartments, mid-rise apartments, high-rise apartments, and special-purpose housing.
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Construction site safety checklist
By Graeme Hick If you are starting construction on a commercial site, here is a safety checklist of what to wear, things you should do and actions you should avoid. "What to wear" checklist: -- Wear Safety Glasses or Face Shields, whichever suits better, to protect your eyes from harmful exposures like dust, chemicals, flying particles, smokes and what not - especially if your job involves welding, cutting, grinding, nailing, concreting and chemical-related works.
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