Are you a first-time home buyer? If so, you may be wondering if an FHA loan is the right option for you. An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which means that it offers some advantages over other types of mortgages. This blog post will discuss the benefits of an FHA loan and provide information on how to apply for one. Let's get started!   FHA Loans If you're a first-time home buyer, an FHA loan could be a great option for you Are you a first-time home buyer who needs to learn their way around the process? Thinking of taking out an FHA loan, but need h ..read more

Are you thinking about buying a home with a USDA loan? If so, you'll want to familiarize yourself with these loans' income limits. In this blog post, we'll provide an overview of the USDA income limits and explain how they work. We'll also discuss some of the exceptions to these limits so that you can determine if you are eligible for a USDA home loan. So, let's dive right in! What are the USDA-guaranteed loans? USDA-guaranteed loans are a type of home loan that helps people with low-to-moderate incomes purchase or build a home in rural and suburban areas. These loans offer attractive interest ..read more

A Beginner's Guide to Buying a House Are you thinking of buying a house for the first time? If so, you're in for a great experience! Buying a home can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make, but it can also be incredibly daunting. It's important to know what to expect before you get started. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps of buying a house for the first time. By following these tips, you'll be able to purchase your dream home without any stress or headaches! Steps to buying a house for the first time Step 1: Budget and Down Payment Plan The first step to buying a ..read more

The Zestimate is a value that Zillow provides for every home listed on its website. It is supposed to be the home's value estimates. Many people rely on the Zestimate when deciding whether or not to buy a home. However, can you really trust the Zestimate? I'll explain how the Zestimate is calculated and discuss whether or not you can trust it. What is a Zillow Zestimate? This is a Zillow-exclusive home valuation tool that can provide an online estimate of the value of the majority of homes in the United States. It uses data from both the public and user submissions, and its accuracy is partly ..read more

Homeowners always want to know, should I sell my house as-is? Or should I invest in some home improvement before listing? And then, they want to know if it is a good idea to repair, replace, or remodel parts of the home and which renovations will add the most value.  Today, we’ll share all the expert advice you need about all these listing questions. And while every Lehigh Valley home is different, there are tips and best practices to consider. We’ll explore them all and highlight the most valuable projects you can consider taking on before you put your house on the market. Small Details ..read more

Even when the real estate market is calm, you want to make sure you’re working with the right real estate agent. There are so many details to manage, nuances to know, and tasks to tackle; not having the right professional in your corner could wreck deals or, worse, cost you thousands. But in today’s volatile market, the need for the right agent is heightened as buyers line up to put in offers, contingencies move quickly, and deals close before you know it. You can't afford not to work with the best agent who has the most experience by your side. So, how can you really know if you’re working w ..read more

To be honest, it’s hard to speculate sometimes whether it’s a good or a not-so-good time to buy or sell real estate only because every individual’s situation is unique. What may be a good time to buy for you may not be ideal for someone else.  However, the data continues to suggest a few key trends in today’s Lehigh Valley real estate market. And at the moment of writing this blog, these are the metrics you need to help you decide if it’s a great time to buy or a great time to sell your home. The market continues to be active, and there are plenty of real estate opportunities to explore ..read more

Anyone considering a move to the Lehigh Valley is going to want to look for specific community amenities and perks before deciding. Maybe it’s the job market or nightlife that is most appealing about one of the many Lehigh Valley cities and neighborhoods. But for families, there are specific community amenities to look for that will help ensure you’re making the best decision to move, not only for yourself but also for your kids. Based on our experiences with helping families buy and sell properties all throughout the communities of the Lehigh Valley, including Allentown, Stroudsburg, and Lan ..read more

For any Lehigh Valley resident who’s exploring the idea of selling a home, there’s a lot to consider. For starters, you’re not even sure you want to go through the hassle of moving just yet. But at the same time, you’re seeing so many others buying new dream homes and selling their existing properties for high-dollar offers, and you want in on that profitability.  Before you make any rash decisions or rush to put that “for sale” sign in the yard, there are a few critical preparation steps to consider. One of the biggest trends for sellers these days is to have a pre-listing home inspecti ..read more

You’ve waited on the sidelines long enough. You’re ready or are at least seriously considering putting your house on the market. But it’s been a while since you’ve last bought or sold, or maybe it’s your first time moving altogether. In either case, you know you’ll have to assemble a to-do list before officially putting that sign in the yard. And to help you with that list here’s a complete guide to help you get your home ready for market. 1. Get Busy Cleaning Even if you’re eager to put your house on the market tomorrow, it’s important to remember real estate transactions are going to take t ..read more