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
Monday, January 22, 2024 / by Brian Armstrong
Buying a home is a complex process, so as we start out the year, we built this FAQ guide with the top 10 most common questions we heard in 2024!
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 w; ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, investment properties, home inspection, lending
Thursday, February 23, 2023 / by Brian Armstrong
Much has changed in real estate over the last year, and we are still seeing a rapidly shifting market today! In Vermont, home prices have started to level out after tremendous growth, some homebuyers have exited the market to wait for calmer tides, and more homes are on the market than there have been over the past couple of years. So, what does that mean if you are thinking about selling your home? Prepare for a highly competitive market! In this article, we will dive into several ways to stand out amongst your competitors while avoiding Mistakes so you can come out on top with your home sale!
How Your Home Is Valued Today
The best opportunity for your home to attract buyers is the initial period after the listing goes live! Missing the mark at this stage can heavily impact your overall sale. If you undervalue your home, you will likely sell it quickly, however, you will miss out on maximizing your home's potential value! If you set your price above the market, it will sit on the ; ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, home tips, home selling process, staging your home, curb appeal, home inspection
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 / by Brian Armstrong
Gearing up for an upcoming home purchase? If so, you are in the right place! While no two real estate deals are the same, in our decade of experience, we have seen many recurring themes across transactions. To help you master your purchase, we asked our team of experts to share five stellar negotiation tactics that have proven successful!
Cash or Pre-Approval
If you want to walk the walk and talk the talk, you need to be a cash buyer or have a pre-approval letter from the bank. Each scenario shows the home seller you are motivated and ready to purchase, which goes a long way! Most sellers do not want to negotiate with a buyer to find out they cannot get the finances to make the purchase. So, make sure to prioritize your finances before bargaining with sellers!
Know Your Comps
If you fall in love with a home yet are challenged by the list price, local comparables can be a huge help! Knowing what a home is worth is not as simple as finding out what price the neighbors as ! ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, home inspection, lending
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 / by Brian Armstrong
If you have been in the market to buy or sell a home in the last few months, your experience is drastically different from those who made a purchase just six months ago. For the past two years, uncertainty rattled the real estate industry and created a seller’s market. As we rounded into the new year, market shifts have drastically changed buyer capabilities, and we will discuss what that means for homeowners and how to overcome those challenges in 2023!
The Federal Reserve Hikes
Have you noticed that your shopping bills have been much higher over the last few months? Inflation has steadily risen, affecting the price of everything from milk and bread to assets like vehicles and homes. To combat this aggressive inflationary activity, the Federal Reserve, the central banking system of the United States, has risen national interest rates over the past year. Interest rates and inflation have an inverse relationship, so making an adjustment to the cost of borrowing influences the ov! ...
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strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, home tips, home selling process, interest rates, quick sale, staging your home, curb appeal, brian armstrong
