How to Buy a Home Even if You Have Bad Credit

Protect your credit score by reviewing it for mistakes, so you'll be ready to start the home buying process when you find a place you love.

Experts Answer Your Top Questions About Buying a Home With Bad Credit

Your credit score is one of the crucial determining factors in whether you can qualify for a mortgage to buy a home in Davenport FL. “The higher your score, the less risky you appear on paper,” says Staci Titsworth, a regional manager at PNC Mortgage in Pittsburgh, PA. If that sends shivers up your spine, keep reading. We’re here to help.

The reality is that the average U.S. household has over $15,000 in credit card debt. You’re not alone if you’re wondering: Can I even…

2776 Views, 0 Comments

Boost Your Home Value with Improvements For Every Budget

By Laura Vogel | Trulia  

Experts offer their top ideas for boosting curb appeal.

You landed a new job and find yourself planning a cross-country move in three months and need to Sell your Davenport FL Home. Or, maybe you finally have the time to spend on home improvement now that the kids are out of the house. Here are some great approaches to home improvements geared toward a wide variety of budgets. We interviewed a number of experts to ask for tips, and all agreed with New York City-based designer Courtney Cachet who said, “For anything past the very basic DIY projects, I strongly recommend a licensed and insured professional.” 

Ready to channel your inner Bob Vila? Click on your budget, then jump to ideas for…

2918 Views, 0 Comments

Deciding Between an Agent and FSBO? Read This First

When gearing up to sell your home in Davenport Florida, there could be a number of reasons you might be tempted to take on a For Sale By Owner sale. Maybe you’d like to avoid losing profit to a real estate agent, and you’re hesitant to involve another party in selling your property. Perhaps you think that you know your local market — and your own house — better than anyone else. You might question what a real estate agent could bring to the table that you haven’t already accounted for, especially when all the information you need is already online.

Even though roughly 70% of people start out with a FSBO, it’s a fact that FSBO sales aren’t usually successful. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors Real Estate Statistics released…

3104 Views, 0 Comments

What Does A Home Inspector Do?

Hire A Home Inspector

You found the right house in Central Florida. You put in your offer, and it was accepted. Congratulations. But now, it’s time to hire a home inspector to go over every inch it – inside and out – to make sure everything you see and don’t see won’t develop major problems once it’s your house.

(Find your house in Central Florida)

Protect Yourself And Your Investment

A home inspector can protect you and your money by showing you where things are past their prime, or if something is in great shape. The inspection isn’t for the lender, the real estate agent or the seller.

It’s for you – the buyer. And it's a big deal.

“Remember that you are making a very big buying decision, and it’s not just about how things are…

4062 Views, 0 Comments

A Helping Hand from HUD

Notice to Central Florida Homebuyers:  The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on Wednesday that its continuing its commitment to fighting discrimination in housing by making available grants totally $38 million through its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). The funding supports multiple fair housing activities, including testing, outreach activities, public education, and building capacity.

The FHIP is an effort by HUD to bring together fair housing organizations and other nonprofits to assist people that believe they’ve fallen victim to discrimination. Organizations send out testers—who are both non-Hispanic whites and minorities—with the same financial qualifications to see if they are treated differently when looking for…

3173 Views, 0 Comments

The Hurdles of Housing Inventory

It’s a shortage of skilled labor and higher development costs that are keeping construction starts low and housing inventory strapped in all areas of the country and in Davenport Florida, according to new data from Freddie Mac. According to the GSE, the number of open construction jobs has increased steadily since the housing crisis nearly a decade ago.

According to Freddie, the housing market has largely recovered since the Great Recession—with one holdout: inventory.

“A decade after the Great Recession, the housing market is rebounding,” Freddie Mac reported. “House prices today are higher than they were at the peak in the summer of 2006, near-record-low mortgage rates have boosted housing demand, and sales volume is robust. The spoiler is the…

2803 Views, 0 Comments

Homeownership Costs More Than Buyers Realize

If buyers want to avoid falling behind on their mortgage loans in Central Florida, they’ll want to consider more than just a home’s listing price—especially given new data just released by Zillow. According to Zillow and Thumbtack, the average U.S. homeowner spends an additional $9,080 on their home every year. In some cities, some spend as much as $16,000.

“Buyers too often focus on a home’s list price or mortgage payment to determine what they can afford,” Zillow reported. “However, the numerous less-obvious costs associated with homeownership can affect the monthly bottom line.”

In total, Zillow found that homeowners pay an average of $6,059 in “unavoidable costs,” which includes things like insurance, utilities, and taxes. These costs are…

2758 Views, 0 Comments