Monday, February 19, 2024 / by Christine Elwood
Shopping for a mortgage is about so much more than simply learning what your monthly payment will be. In order to make informed decisions when buying a house, you need to ask the right questions and find a lender that fits your needs. Asking questions makes it easier to compare loan opportunities with various lenders and learn exactly what goes into calculating your monthly mortgage payment. Ask your lender these six questions to make sure you have the information you need when shopping for a mortgage.
What Kind of Interest Rate Can I Expect?
This is the big question, so it pays to ask right away. Get a quote for the direct interest rate and the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes associated loan fees and charges. The interest rates available depend largely on your credit score, with a higher credit score leading to lower rates. To raise your credit score, make all monthly payments on time, pay more than the minimum requirements, and resolve outstanding debts.
Is It a Fix. ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 / by Christine Elwood
The real estate market across the country has seen tremendous movement throughout the pandemic making it difficult for buyers to find their next dream home. While it may be more challenging than a year or two ago, finding your next home is still possible! Below we break down the complexities of today's market and what you can do to prepare!
Understanding Goals & Market Conditions
People often ask us about the first step in the homebuying process. No matter what the market looks like, we recommend hiring a realtor you trust and working with them to understand your motivations and establish clear goals. Market conditions heavily impact the decision-making process, so having your goals clear will help you and your realtor navigate the market. As part of your discovery process, you may realize the current market is not for you, and that's okay! We want you to be comfortable and happy with your purchase, so we have outlined some of the market challenges you will need to consider.
Inv! ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, cole elwood, brian armstrong, michelle peters
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 / by Christine Elwood
Moving out of state is a major life change, and there are quite a few steps to consider making the most of this transition. Some people prefer to take a "wing it" approach and deal with the various issues as they arise. On the other hand, some people prefer to take a systematic approach to plan and outline how this transition will happen. If you prefer a more planned approach, check out the tips below to ease through this big move!
Tip 1: Learn About The New Area
One of the best ways to get ahead of the curve is to research the town or city you are planning to relocate to. If you can do so, travel to the new area before moving to become acclimated with your surroundings! Also, remember to check out the local dining options, entertainment venues, public transportation, etc. If you have little ones, you may also consider researching local school districts to provide them with a strong education!
Compare your area to a new area using this tool: Compare Areas
This tool can help you! ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, keller williams, cole elwood, brian armstrong
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 / by Christine Elwood
The last year and a half have been challenging for people across the globe, and many industries have had to adapt to keep providing service to keep up with demand. For the real estate industry, this was no different. With extreme uncertainty and fast-paced market movements, the real estate industry saw a massive shift in how people bought and sold homes. Even though these changes were a response to the pandemic, we expect some changes will remain in the short run, and some will stick around for good.
Market Speed
Whether you are buying your first house or looking to maximize your profit from the sale of your home, you may be overwhelmed by the speed of today's market. With inventory remaining low, it can be hard as a buyer to find your dream home, and when you do, the property may come off the market in as fast as a few hours. On the other side, sellers with strong marketing are experiencing a high volume of showings and multiple offer situations that need to be vetted quickly. Tak; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, burlington
Thursday, October 26, 2017 / by Christine Elwood
There are many questions homeowners ask themselves during the selling process. "How much will my home sell for?" "How much should I list my home for?" "Who should I select as a real estate agent to sell my home?" "What if the real estate agent overprices my home?" Last but not least, "Is this a good time to be selling a home?" is also a very common question that real estate agents are asked.
As with every decision in life, there are pros and cons, and choosing when to sell a home is no different. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before deciding when to sell a home. Many homeowners believe selling a home during the fall or winter months is not a good idea and that the spring is the only time a house should be sold. This is the furthest from the truth. Certainly most real estate markets across the United States experience a "spring market rush" every year. There is no doubt that the "spring market" is a grea. ...
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