The Comprehensive Guide to Buying a House It’s official. You’re ready to make a big move and buy your first home. Congratulations! Buying a house is a huge decision, but it’s also exciting. There’s an incredible amount to think about – from finding the right neighborhood to budgeting for renovations – and it can be tough to know where to start. Don’t worry, though; this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from getting preapproved for a mortgage to closing on your new home. Determining your Purchase Power The first step in buying a house is figuring out how much you can afford ..read more

It’s that time of year again, and Orlando families are excited for cooler temperatures so they can wear the long sleeve shirts and scarves they have tucked in the back of their closet and never get to wear and get into the Christmas spirit. After the past few years, it seems like everyone is excited to get back to holiday traditions, including exploring the many different light displays around town. If you’re starting to fill your calendar with holiday events, make sure these get added to the list:  The Big Ones Orlando is known for its theme parks, and the three biggest theme parks in O ..read more

When it comes to buying and selling real estate, it’s all about timing. For sellers, the goal is to put the house on the market, generate interest, and ideally close quickly. For buyers, the goal is to buy when sellers are motivated, there are more homes to choose from, prices are low, and ROI is high. People always throw around terms like “seller’s market, buyers market, and market temperature” but what do they mean for you?  If you’re thinking about buying or selling property this year, here’s a breakdown of what these markets are, and what they mean to you as a buyer or seller.  ..read more

Sometimes it can feel like your home buying To-Do list is never-ending. There are papers to sign, meetings to attend, boxes to pack, and decisions to make. As you begin to organize all of the things you need to do, don’t forget to consider the five things you should definitely NOT be doing during the home buying process. Start or Quit a Job Many times, a new house means a new start. Maybe you’ve started your own business and want to upgrade to a bigger house with a home office. Maybe you’re changing jobs and need to be closer to the office. Your job often plays a major role in the home you bu ..read more

A small living room with limited floor space can totally cramp your personal style. However, you can live large in your tiny living room when you know the designer tips for creating an airy, well-functioning space. Keep reading to discover how you can love your small living room in five easy steps. 1. Take Inventory Make a list of the existing furniture pieces, decorative items, and wall décor that you’d like to keep in your living room. Get rid of the furniture that you seldom use or don’t like. The same goes for decorative items, window treatments and wall decor. Only keep those items that ..read more

The Benefits of a VA Loan First and foremost, if you’re a veteran, active-duty military, or surviving spouse of someone who has served our country, thank you for your sacrifice. Your commitment and service are seen and valued. If you fall into these categories and are looking to buy a home, a VA loan may be the right option for you. This guide will help you understand the basics of one of the most popular mortgage options in the industry and help you make an informed and confident decision.  What is a VA Loan? A VA loan is a specific mortgage option geared to help veterans and active-duty ..read more

Orlando Housing Market Activity in June 2021 The housing market is still hot for summer! Median prices are still trending upwards, and so are home sales.  Though there were fewer than half as many homes available for sale last month as there was the previous June, we saw more homes for sale than we did last month. Homeowners are getting the message: you WILL profit from a sale. New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association report shows just three weeks of inventory available, as new listings quickly come under contract. State of the Market Median home prices in the Orlando area reached a ne ..read more

Moving into a new home can be exciting and exhausting all at the same time. New job, new surroundings, new neighbors – it can be overwhelming. However, it is important to always stay on top of your finances, especially when making a big life change like this. You may be adding to your expense column in ways you hadn’t even considered yet. A brief look at five of these forgotten expenses includes: Insurance If you decided to buy your new home having previously lived in a rental, insurance may be a bit of a surprise to you. Almost every home will have to have some kind of insurance on it, so th ..read more

Orlando Housing Market Activity in May 2021 There are 61% fewer homes on the market today than there were a year ago. Buyers are snapping up homes as they become available. Some homes receive as many as 30 offers in a day, and are going pending hours after listing. Competition is stiff! If you’re a buyer in this market, be sure you are pre-approved for a loan, and be ready to bring a strong offer to the table. You won’t be the only one there. New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association report shows just three weeks of inventory available, as new listings quickly come under contract. State of th ..read more

Finding your dream home starts long before you start looking for open house signs and scheduling walk-throughs. There is a lot of thinking, planning, and deciding to do before you start looking at houses. When you walk into home-buying with a predetermined list of wants and needs, you walk in with a clear vision. This allows you to filter out homes that do not meet your needs and prevent you from getting distracted by all the things you’d like to have but don’t necessarily need.  Seasoned home buyers start every home search with a list of wants vs. needs. Here’s how it works: Needs: Need ..read more