Green Real Estate Appraiser

How to buy a home

Posted on July 20, 2017 | Leave a comment

The Decision to Buy

Before taking the plunge into the buyer pool, it’s important to consider whether homeownership is right for you.

Rent Vs. Buy?

When looking for a new place to live, the first question you ask yourself will help drive the rest of your decision-making. Should you rent or buy? Buying may seem appealing because you will put an end to escalating rent and can build equity. But the reality of routine home maintenance and repairs can quickly drain a bank account.

In general, whether renting or buying is better for you largely depends on your specific circumstances.

Here are some basic questions to consider when thinking about buying a home:

How long do you plan to stay there? If you expect to relocate in just a couple of years, renting is likely a better option.
How much home can you afford? If you can’t afford a home large enough to fit your family in a few years, it may be worth it to rent while you save a bit more.
What’s on the market? If you can’t find a home you like, it’s likely not worth tying yourself to something you’re unhappy with.

Another consideration: Stretching your budget for that dream home may actually make you miserable, as a growing body of research suggests.

Still can’t decide if buying is for you? Check out The Times’s rent vs buy calculator to dig deeper into the difference in expenses.

If both your lifestyle and the hard numbers point toward buying, the next step is to determine how much home you can afford.

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

How to protect your home when you are on vacation

Posted on July 17, 2017 | Leave a comment

SMART HOME SECURITY The market is also flooded with do-it-yourself house-monitoring options like Canary and SimpliSafe, which tend to be cheaper than traditional systems like ADT, but are often less comprehensive.

LiveWatch includes a touch-screen control panel and a smartphone app. It sells add-ons like cameras, garage door openers and smart locks. The system starts at $99, plus $35 a month for the basic monitoring plan.

A Ring video doorbell, starting at $199, alerts you to visitors or package deliveries. Ooma, the internet phone company, sells sensors that detect motion, water and if doors or windows are open. The starter kit costs $130.

LOCK IT UP Cameras and sensors will do little to protect you if you leave a door or window open. An open window provides easy access for not only human intruders, but also pests like bugs and rodents. Should it rain, you could come home to a soggy windowsill and damaged floors. So, at the very least, close the windows and doors.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment only

Can you shop around for a mortgage after Preapproval?

Posted on July 15, 2017 | Leave a comment

A mortgage pre-approval letter demonstrates an applicant’s creditworthiness and ability to obtain a loan by the lender based upon a credit evaluation. The pre-approval letter is not a mortgage loan commitment. The letter shows the seller that you are financially able to close the transaction based upon lender approval, if the seller accepts your offer to purchase the home. You also have the opportunity to obtain several pre-approval letters from different lenders and mortgage brokers before making a commitment to a mortgage loan.

Borrowers can compare mortgage loans with different lenders and choose the best deal that fits their budget and financial profile. Lenders and brokers offer different interest rates, fees and points. After evaluating offers from each lender, you have the opportunity to save money by negotiating with lenders to obtain an affordable mortgage loan.