Thursday, December 15, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
Buying a home is a complex process, so to close out the year, we built this FAQ guide with the top 10 most common questions we heard in 2022!
What is Pre-Qualification?
Pre-qualification is one of the first steps you should take when looking for a home! Your mortgage lender will help you through the pre-approval process and show you what type of home you can afford! Pre-approval also lets sellers know you are ready to make a purchase, leaving you in a strong position to negotiate!
Do I Need a REALTOR® To Buy a Home?
While it is not required to use a REALTOR®, you may be missing out if you elect not to use one. A Realtor is there to help you and will walk you through every part of the home-buying process, so no stone is left unturned! You will not only benefit from having a knowledgeable resource you can reach out to, but they also do the heavy lifting to find you the perfect match!
Where Are Vermont Home Prices Headed?
If only we c; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, investment properties, home inspection, lending
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
Do you love snow? Vermonters are lucky to experience four beautiful seasons, including our beloved winter! While some use the winter months to hibernate under blankets next to their fireplaces, others are giddy to catch some powder on the slopes! It does not matter how you spend your winter months, but prepping your home for the cold season is a no-brainer! Here are a few tips to help you get ready for the cold!
Check Your Heaters
It may seem obvious, but sometimes we forget to test our heating systems when the weather is warmer, and the last thing you want is a system not performing on a blistering cold day. Furnaces, boilers, and chimneys should be serviced by a technician at least once a year to ensure proper function and safety. Fire up your system early, giving you time to repair it before the cold gets here!
Clear Your Gutters
Those darn leaves never seem to fall when or where you want them to! Let's face it cleaning your gutters is not fun, so taking care of them as the ; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, home improvement, things to do, investment properties, fall foliage
Thursday, September 8, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
President Biden has officially announced his student loan relief plan to help middle-class federal student loan borrowers get back on track to resume payments come the new year. Borrowers earning less than $125,000 will see debt relief to the tune of $10,000, and Pel Grant recipients will be eligible for up to $20,000 in relief! This is major news for young professionals who are struggling to make ends meet. So how does this affect the U.S. economy as a whole?
Money To Make Purchases
Many borrowers struggling with debt have not had the opportunity to attribute funds toward real estate, cars, and other larger asset purchases. Nearly half of borrowers, about 20 million people, will have their student debt fully canceled, which will open up opportunities for those individuals to invest that capital back into the economy. While some borrowers will still not be in the financial position to make a purchase, others who were planning to buy a home and were not quite there may be able to affo. ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, investment properties, fall foliage
Thursday, August 4, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
If you have been looking for a home, considering buying property, or just watching the news over the past two years, you have probably heard about the wild and wacky real estate market. Home prices skyrocketed, homes sold moments after listing, and bidding wars dominated the market nationwide. Where does that leave us today? Is now a good time to buy? Please note we are not financial experts, so please consult with a financial institute before making a home purchase. However, we want to help you understand what is happening in the Vermont real estate market so you can make educated decisions!
The Economic Slowdown
As you may well know, the US economy has experienced significant volatility in 2022. This volatility penetrated the Real estate market as indicators showed recessionary activity. Inflation rose quickly to over 9%, thus driving the Federal Reserve to increase the rates for borrowing. These actions caused consumers to borrow less money and ultimately spend less overall.. ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, home tips, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, investment properties, lending
Monday, February 7, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
Last week we talked about how the pandemic has and is currently impacting the housing market as it evolves across the country. While we have seen some record numbers for the past couple of years, we are now seeing rising inflation that will affect the housing market and the overall affordability of homes. If you have been considering a move and need to buy or sell real estate, this could seriously impact the outcome of your transaction, so make sure to keep up with these changes as you get closer to making your decision.
Measuring Changes to Inflation
A recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) set out by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that inflation across the last twelve months has risen about 7%, the highest influx since the early 1980s. So, what is CPI, and what exactly does this mean? CPI measures the change of price for consumer goods over a set period. This 7% increase across consumer goods means that if an item cost $1.00 a year ago, that same item would cost $1.07 today.; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, home tips, buyers process, homebuying, home improvement, home selling process, investment properties