The Pros and Cons of an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
When you hear about savings of more than $15,000 over the course of five years with an adjustable-rate mortgage, it’s hard to ignore. With that said, before making the decision to borrow with an adjustable-rate mortgage instead of a fixed-rate mortgage, you should...
How Rising Mortgage Rates Will Affect the Home Buying Process
In 2022, the housing market has seen rising mortgage rates and home prices. This article will examine how house prices and mortgage rates impact home-buying, how rising mortgage rates will affect homebuyers, and what rising interest rates mean for the housing market....
7 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Needs to Ask
There’s a lot of uncertainty when it comes to buying your first home, and you’re bound to have a lot of questions. If you’ve chosen well, you have a real estate agent who will answer your questions with patience and clarity. Getting the right real estate agent who can...
Buying your first home? How to find a Good Buyer’s Agent
Buying Your First Home? How to Find a Good Buyer’s Agent Home buying is a tricky road, even in the best of times. Right now we’re in a seller’s market and it’s almost impossible for a buyer to get a fair shake. So the question is: how do you find a good buyer’s agent?...
Checklist for First Time Homebuyers
Eight steps for first time homebuying success Going through the purchase of your first home is an incredible milestone in many people’s lives that can be exciting yet daunting. However, if you’re committed to taking the time to understand the many facets of the...
What is “Buyer Representation”?
“Buyer Representation” and “Buyer’s Agent” is a phrase that is thrown around in the Real Estate Industry. So much so that it’s pretty much lost its significance to the average consumer. What is it and where did it start? Do buyer’s actually have representation? Better...
What is a Good Way to Find a Buyer’s Agent?
You’ve reached one of the most exciting moments in life - buying a home. It’s a significant decision to make and one that can impact a large part of your life, so no details should be overlooked. Beginning the process can be daunting, but having the right person in...
Before House Hunting, Choose Your Attorney and Inspector
We recommend that house hunters choose an attorney and an inspector -- and a back-up for each -- early in the house hunting process. That way, when you find a house and start making an offer, you are not scrambling to interview attorneys and inspectors during a busy...
Don’t Skip the Home Inspection
A few months ago, my clients and I attended an almost perfect home inspection. They were purchasing a classic 1940s Cape Cod that had been meticulously maintained. The only issue the home inspector found was a loose faucet in one of the bathrooms. Most home...
Icicles may be pretty to look at, but they can do considerable damage to your home’s exterior by tearing off gutters, loosening shingles and causing water to back up and leak on the interior. When that happens, the results aren’t pretty: peeling paint, warped floors,...
Moving from New York? Chicago will put you in a New York frame of mind.
The decision to move has been made, maybe for a job transfer, family obligation or something in between…Whether a native or transplant, you have grown to love the neighborhood and all the city has to offer, so even getting to this point might not be easy. Finding an...
Keep Your Head Above Water: How to Check a House for Water Problems
Looking to buy a home and want to check if a house has water problems? Use your nose! This sounds silly but trust me, in some cases your nose will be just as important as your eyes when searching for water damage. Whenever my clients and I enter a basement I will...