Debt-Management: Buying a House in 6-12 Months Getting a handle on your debt is essential if you want to successfully apply for a mortgage and purchase a house within the year. Even when you’re not carrying significant debt – or none at all – you may still need to build up your credit score first. Justin Stamper offers some essential debt-management advice if you’re looking to purchase a home in 6 to 12 months:  Target a Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio of 35 or less  The lender will pay the most attention to two things when determining your suitability for a mortgage: your DTI and your cr ..read more

Moving Through Grief: Relocating After A Loved One's Death   There are many reasons why someone may consider moving after losing a loved one, from financial hardship to overwhelming memories. A change of scenery can be welcoming, especially if you’ve been living with your loss for quite some time. On the other hand, moving can make the grieving process a little more complicated. It’s important not to rush into this decision. Once you’ve had some time to process your grief, you may decide that relocating is the best way to move on. When you’re ready, consider the following guidance from Or ..read more

How To Downsize With a Pet Not everyone desires to live in a tiny home. However, data show that smaller homes are increasing in popularity. For those who have pets, downsizing can be tricky but not impossible. Here are some tips to help you get started, presented by the Blueprint Real Estate Group. Preparing No matter what size home you are looking for, the home-buying process is generally the same. Get pre-approved for a mortgage, find a real estate agent and compare listings. When you find the right home, make an offer and close. If you are also selling your current home, make sure it is rea ..read more

Fla. Host of ‘Zombie House Flipping’ Can’t Find Homes to Flip By Trevor Fraser Justin Stamper says he’s digging through court cases to find flippable homes, but even those owners say, “‘Get off my phone! You’re the 26th person to call me today!’” ORLANDO, Fla. – Justin Stamper, star of the “Zombie House Flipping” TV show, says finding places to renovate and sell in Orlando has become so hard that he sometimes has to dig through court cases in search of properties. “I’ll get word through an attorney about a probate case, call the [homeowner] that day, and they respond, ‘Get off my phone! You’re ..read more

There has been some discussion recently on home prices in relation to mortgage rates. Some believe if there is a rapid rise of mortgage rates, home prices should decrease. Logically it makes the most sense for the price of the house to drop when interest rates are rising, but this is not always the case. This theory of home prices decreasing is typically discussed by future home buyers. As a buyer you would like to think if you are paying higher rates on your mortgage, you should be able to see a decrease in cost somewhere else. Unfortunately, these rates are rising because the economy is in ..read more

It is easy to become overwhelmed when you enter the home buying market. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances will give you their opinions if you are a first time home buyer. While most of them are looking out for your best interest, they are not fully aware of what is happening in the housing market. It is important for you to be prepared and have your own questions ready. No matter what other opinions you are getting, you are the one buying the home and your comfort level will help make your final decision. Here are three important questions to ask before you purchase a home ..read more

The season you sell your home can have an impact on how much you get for your home and how quickly it sells. The season that has the most success in selling homes is spring. This is a good time of year for families moving to new school districts and is also more convenient weather for moving. Because of this trend, most people will recommend waiting to list your home until after the winter is over. Avoiding the winter is a huge misconception in the housing industry and can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities. Selling in the winter can give you a few advantages. There will be fewer h ..read more

Potential homebuyers are always cautioned to be aware of mortgage lending standards and the difficulty they might face when trying to obtain a mortgage. Credit availability is expanding, making it easier to get a mortgage now than it was a year ago. The market is still tight however, and homebuyers should be prepared to shop around until they find a lender who is offering something that will meet the needs of their family. Mortgage lending companies have high standards so it is important to make sure you and anyone else who will be included on the mortgage have their credit in check. The mort ..read more