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...
homebuying
Is that Condo a Good Investment?
A condominium can be an excellent first home purchase. Condos tend to be smaller and less expensive than a single-family home. Buying a condo can be a good way to start building equity in a home. So what do you need to know? What is a condominium? A condominium...
What Security Features Should House Hunters Look For?
When on the hunt for your dream home, there are a few security features you should pay attention to. We've outlined the key points below: What should a house hunter know about locks? I took this picture in a condo building. It was the kind of building with one hall...
Friends don’t let friends hire dual/designated agents
When a real estate brokerage serves both the buyer and the seller, what can go wrong? The seller's agent, who must get the best price for the seller, is the same company that must get the best price for the buyer. Legally and structurally, companies are run by a...
Illinois First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Loans
Regardless of real estate market conditions, first-time home buyers need to know what loan programs and grants are available to help as they begin the home buying process. If you do your homework, there are many programs and grants available to first time homebuyers...
Yes, you need a home inspection.
Avoiding a Big Mistake and Still Being A Competitive Buyer One really big mistake the house hunters are being talked into is waiving your home inspection. Why do you need an inspection? If you hire an experienced exclusive buyer's agent, you have the backing of...
Don’t Waive Mortgage Contingency
1. Most of the time, if you have a documented pre-approval, you will get your mortgage, so a mortgage contingency is not really necessary, right? Wrong. It is only unnecessary if: You can afford to lose 5-10 percent of your purchase price. The mortgage contingency...
What is the Best Offer?
What is the Best Offer? Whose interests are being served by rushing offers and accepting offers that close the fastest? Some of the time, the seller wants and needs a quick closing. Some of the time, the seller's agent is advising their client to take the easy deal,...
Episode 19: Alex Margulis Cross Country Mortgage
Transcript: Podcast Episode 1 – Advice and Tips on using a VA loan, obtaining seller credits and living in Savannah, Georgia
Transcript Episode 1 - Advice and Tips on using a VA loan, obtaining seller credits and living in Savannah, Georgia [LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE] Introduction 00:00 This is Listen Up Home Buyers. The only podcast offering Home Buying advice and tips from true buyer...
Transcript: Podcast Episode 2 – Buying a home in the Chicago area with Rich Harty of Harty Realty Group
Transcript Episode 2 - Buying a home in the Chicago area with Rich Harty of Harty Realty Group [LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE] Introduction 00:00 This is Listen Up Home Buyers, the only podcast offering Home Buying advice and tips from true buyer agents and now here's...
Transcript: Podcast Episode 3 – Advice and Tips from Mike Crowley with Spokane Home Buyers
Transcript Episode 3 - Advice and Tips from Mike Crowley with Spokane Home Buyers [LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE] Introduction 00:00 This is Listen Up Home Buyers. The only podcast offering Home Buying advice and tips from true buyer agents and now here's your host...