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Informative Articles

 

Actions to Take Before Buying a Home

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As the housing downturn has shown, homeownership is about more than buying a home - you have to make sure you can keep the home over the long term. If you’re thinking about buying a home, these five steps can help ensure you get the right house for you along with the affordable financing that helps make homeownership a long-term success.

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Qualifying for a Home Mortgage

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If you are a first-time homebuyer or haven’t bought a home in a while, this document will offer valuable information about buying a home.

While pre-approval is not a mortgage commitment or guarantee, it will provide guidance on what you can afford to spend on your new home. Having a pre-approval letter to show to a seller demonstrates that you are a serious buyer. When you are ready to buy, it will shorten the time it takes us to complete the mortgage application process. Gather the information you will need to qualify for a home mortgage.

Remember that you are investing not just in a home but also in the mortgage loan that will finance your home.

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The Importance of A Property Inspection

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No homeowner wants to be unpleasantly surprised to discover that their newly-purchased dream home has major problems. An objective property inspection is a “must” in the home buying process. This is especially true when non-owner occupied homes are being considered. In these cases where there has been a foreclosure, potential buyers don’t have the benefit of a seller’s disclosure. Even newly constructed buildings should be inspected to uncover any potential builder oversights.

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Understanding Home Appraisals

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What does an appraiser do?

An appraiser is a state licensed professional who provides an unbiased opinion of value to be used in making real estate decisions. Appraisers present their formal analysis in the appraisal report requested by their clients. Typically, appraisers are independently contracted by lenders to estimate the value of real estate involved in a loan transaction.

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