Financial readiness is about more than qualifying for a mortgage. Understanding your budget, savings, debt obligations, and long-term goals can help you determine whether now is the right time to begin your homeownership journey.
Buying a home involves more than just the purchase price — from closing costs to move-in expenses, planning a full budget helps you stay confident and prepared. Our latest blog breaks down what to include so you know exactly what to expect along the way.
Thinking about buying a home? This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process—from browsing listings to getting the keys—with practical tips and a friendly, down-to-earth approach.
Once you’ve found the perfect home and secured the loan, all that’s left to do is start chipping away at those mortgage payments…right? In actuality, there are a handful of other, often-overlooked expenses that come with buying a home, but as long as you know what you’re getting into, they’re plenty manageable. Take a look […]
By The Honest Carpenter | Ethan Daniel James | 11/5/2018 The construction industry is full of jargon and technical language. Much of it is only relevant to builders and tradespeople. But, there are several terms that every homeowner should know and understand! This short article from The Honest Carpenter and Lisa Ellis & Company will lay out 5 of […]
Downsizing can be a great choice for homeowners looking to make a financial or lifestyle change. After all, a smaller amount of space means less money on utility bills and less stress from clutter. Are you a recent empty-nester? Moving for financial reasons? Or maybe you’ve watched a few episodes of Tidying Up with Marie […]
Imagine, after weeks of searching, that you’ve finally found your dream home. It’s in the perfect location with the right features and exactly the amount of space you need. But after requesting more information, your agent informs you that there are already several offers made on the house. How do you stand out in a […]
Home-buying negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid: Lowball offers Going far below market […]
With recent hurricanes and winter weather affecting the Triangle, it may be time to think of an evacuation plan before the next big storm. However, don’t forget your furry friends in the evacuation plan. An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, […]
Let’s start the new year off right. If you’ve been dreaming of a new home, it’s time to get started. Here’s a month-by-month guide to planning for and buying a new home. It’s about time to set your new year’s resolution, right? January: Brush Up on Your Market Knowledge The best way to get started? […]
