Owning a home is a major financial milestone and an achievement to take pride in. One major reason: the equity you build as a homeowner gives your net worth a big boost. And with high inflation right now, the link between owning your home and building your wealth is especially important. If you’re looking to increase your financial security, here’s why now could be a good time to start on your journey toward homeownership. Owning a Home Is a Key Ingredient for Financial Success A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) details ..read more

There’s no denying the housing market has delivered a fair share of challenges to homebuyers over the past two years. Two of the biggest hurdles homebuyers faced during the pandemic were the limited number of homes for sale and the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But those two things have reached a turning point.  As you may have already heard, the number of homes for sale has increased this year, and even more so this spring. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains: “New listings–a measure of sellers putting homes up for sale–were up 6% a ..read more

Ignoring Your Credit Strong credit can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your mortgage loan. Credit problems can take time to resolve, so the earlier you start reviewing your credit, the better. The first step is to order a credit report.   You're entitled to one free report per year from each credit bureau, which you can order from AnnualCreditReport.com. However, you can check out your credit score for free (and without damaging your credit) with sites like Credit Karma.   If you spot signs of trouble or inaccuracies, contact the appropriate credit bureau a ..read more

Welcome April Savill! Check it out! April is an ordained minister, assistant wedding planner & caterer for Weddings Aberdeen! She has lived and worked all over the country and in New Zealand and Australia. She has been immersed in many different cultures and loves to dive into new experiences. April is a chef and enjoys trying out new recipes. She loves nature, kids, camping, and fishing. She has a heart of pure dedication. She is organized to a T and will make sure that everything runs as perfectly as humanly possible. April is an energetic, easy-going, "get along with everyone" person ..read more

There are a few things to consider before you buy your first home. You need to know your budget, whether you want a condo, townhouse, or single-family home, what neighborhood you want to live in, and your must-have features. But there’s another critical step you need to take before you start looking in earnest. Once you’re ready to start touring houses, you need to get preapproved for a loan.  Thankfully, getting preapproved is a simple process—one that you no longer have to make an in-person appointment to do. You can simply apply online with a bank and, once you pro ..read more

Most would-be homebuyers start their journey by gathering a down payment. This money is crucial to snagging a mortgage and getting that much closer to homeownership. But when you’re shelling out for hefty rent each month, paying for utilities, and chipping away at a stack of bills on top of that, it can seem impossible to save up for a down payment on a house. And after months of giving up daily lattes and takeout, and whittling down streaming services, maybe you’ve managed to squirrel away a few thousand at best. But is that enough for a starter home?   The answer is yes—and n ..read more

When it comes to mortgages, borrowers overwhelmingly choose a fixed interest rate loan over an adjustable one. According to ICE Mortgage Technology, just 4.1% of all mortgage loans closed in September 2021 were adjustable-rate mortgages. But that figure is almost double what it was in January 2021, when it was 2.3% of all mortgages, and as mortgage rates rise again after reaching historic lows during the coronavirus pandemic, ARMs may become even more popular. If you're planning to buy a home in the near future, it's important to explore both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages and determine ..read more

How much does a home inspection cost? According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a typical home inspection cost might range from $300 to $500. In most cases, it’s well worth it for buyers to hire a home inspector. If you’re looking to buy your next home, here’s everything you need to know about home inspections, from the typical home inspection cost to the reasons why you should never skip this important step. What to know about home inspection costs and other important details If you’re a first-time home buyer, you’re likely wondering what home ins ..read more

RE/MAX earns a spot on the prestigious list for the 37th straight year Once again, RE/MAX is among the top-rated franchise brands, according to Entrepreneur’s 2021 Franchise 500® survey. The growing global franchisor has been recognized on the prestigious list for 37 years. Despite government shutdown measures to stem the coronavirus beginning at the close of Q1 2020, RE/MAX recently announced it sold over 500 franchises and renewed over 600 worldwide through the end of the third quarter last year. “In a fast-paced industry like real estate, ‘business as usual’ never really app ..read more

If you’re ready to take the plunge into homeownership, get a head start on packing. Many ways the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped the buying process are just starting to become clear. While some steps have slowed (like getting approved for a mortgage) most others have sped up significantly compared to a year ago as low mortgage rates and changing household needs are leading to intense competition.   One example? According to the National Association of Realtors, 72% of homes sold in October 2020 went to contract in less than a month, down from 36 days in October 2019.   “What ..read more