There’s no denying that Austin is in a red-hot housing market right now. The question on everyone’s mind as rent and home prices continue to rise is: should I rent or buy? Here are some key things to consider as you proceed with this decision. Down Payments One of the biggest arguments we hear from people wanting to buy is that they just can’t find the money for a down payment. Down payments...
For many homeowners, their kitchen is their pride and joy. But it can be daunting to keep track of your kitchen maintenance. With this checklist, you don’t need to worry about missing tasks or neglecting the heart of your home. It’s all right here. Refrigerator Cleanliness Take time to wipe the inside and outside, sweep under and around the exterior, clean the coils, and check the door...
Maintaining a home can be a daunting task, especially when that home is one of your most significant investments. New challenges emerge with every change in season, often leaving homeowners scrambling to repair every leaky faucet before the next thing breaks. Get ahead of pesky costly repairs with these 25 maintenance tips you don't want to miss. Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors Check your...
If buying a home is one of your goals this year, we’ll tell you how to go from renter to homeowner. We’ll cover the factors you should consider before saving for a down payment and buying a home. Factor #1: How Much to Save for a Down Payment? To buy a home and receive favorable financing, it’s best to put down a 20% down payment on the house you purchase. It helps reduce your loan...
Last blog post, we covered an introduction to home improvement loans, an FHA 203(K) loan, an FHA Title 1 Property Improvement Loan, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. In this post, we’ll continue the conversation by discussing the four other options: Home Equity Loans (HEL), Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), Personal Loans, and Credit Cards. Types of Home Improvement Loans Home...
In today’s real estate market, where buyers compete with several other buyers, some are trying to get an edge by forfeiting the home inspection. This can be a problem if the home has structural damage, as the buyer wouldn’t know about it until later. Whether you’re a buyer or investor looking to improve your already existing property, here is an introduction to home improvement loans. We’ll cover...
Buying a home is a massive milestone for many people, and it’s one you should be able to achieve. We understand that between closing costs and a 20% down payment, it’s a significant investment, and sometimes, no matter how much you save, it won’t be enough. Especially now that the median sales price has almost increased by 50%! But we’re here to reassure you that you can still buy a home without a...
Prepare for buying a home by not just saving for a down payment, closing costs, and bills. There are a couple of other big expense items you want to be able to buy after moving in and paying for the essentials. Here are the three: Maintenance and repairs Being a homeowner means you are now responsible for the maintenance of your house. Maintenance is crucial because it helps avoid those...
Maybe you're ready to settle down in your city, or perhaps you want to invest in a property that will pay for itself. Either way, if you're thinking about becoming a homeowner, then read on to see if you qualify! 1. You have a good credit score. A credit score over 600 is a sign you might be ready to be a homeowner. This is the last item lenders look at when you get pre-approved for a loan....
Austin is a unique city that poses a good problem for its residents -- choosing where to live! The city itself is vibrant and eclectic, but with so many booming suburbs with varying commute times into the city, it can be hard to narrow down where you want to live. If you find yourself debating where you should live, check out some of the important factors to consider when living in the city vs. living in...