Real Estate Tips

Quick tidbits of advice and ideas about real estate.

Found 185 blog entries about Real Estate Tips.

It’s no secret that some of the most stressful parts of becoming a homeowner are securing a mortgage, locating your ideal property, placing a competitive offer, and navigating the intricacies of closing paperwork and processes. Of course, you have your agent to take care of you and your interests every step of the way! 

Once you have your keys in hand and the deed in your name, you may experience a whole new wave of thoughts and emotions—hopefully full of pride in your accomplishment and plans for your new home. You may also find yourself wondering: What happens now?

Here are some things to expect when you become a homeowner:

You Will Feel More Security and Freedom

Whether it happens as soon as you have the keys in hand, or a week later

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HGTV’s “Love it or List It” showcases an all-too-familiar conundrum for homeowners throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond. If you’ve seen the show, you know featured guests ask for help deciding whether to remodel and relist or remodel and stay put in their refreshed home. 

As much as you may feel like this show could feature you and your current predicament, the reality is that very few Americans have enough expendable cash, a team of professionals, and a hotel voucher to cover our time away from home. Still, you have a decision to make: should you stay, or should you go? 

Let’s break down the factors that are most likely to help you determine the answer to this question. 

You Should Stay If:

You Have Poor Credit

Life can throw up

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Finding the perfect home is thrilling, but the financial puzzle that accompanies it can be daunting. Luckily, government-backed home loan programs exist to smooth the path toward homeownership. If you're curious about these programs and how they can help you land that dream home, let's dive into the realm of government home loans.

Understanding Government Home Loans

Government home loans—like VA, FHA, and USDA loans—are backed by federal agencies, offering better terms and rates to eligible applicants. They're not confined to the conventional guidelines for income, debt, credit, and down payment set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Working with Government Agencies

Approved mortgage lenders collaborate with government agencies to assist

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If you're like most Americans, your home is your single most significant investment. Consequently, properly caring for your home is a high priority for you. Routine maintenance, minor improvements, and major repairs must occur as needed. Unless you're a homeowner whose home is brand new, you will encounter clear signs when it's time to renovate your home on a larger scale. 

Renovating when it's not necessary can be a financial black hole, but allowing your home to fall into an outdated, dowdy state is also a missed economic opportunity. Improving your home to such an extent that it far outshines the surrounding properties can make it impossible to recoup your investment. In contrast, doing nothing while your home slowly drifts into the bottom ten

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While a professional home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process, there are some warning signs you can spot even before that inspection. During your home tour, keep an eye out for these atypical "red flags." They could indicate underlying issues that might not be immediately evident. Here are seven of them:

Unusual Odors

Pay attention to any strange or persistent odors in the home. Unpleasant smells could be a sign of hidden problems such as mold, mildew, pest infestations, or issues with the plumbing or sewage system.

Patchy or Mismatched Repairs

Be cautious of walls or ceilings with uneven patches, inconsistent paint jobs, or areas that look recently repaired. These could indicate past damage or ongoing issues that

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So, you've got a home --that cozy nest where you can rest, relax, and create memories. But did you know your house can do more than just be a roof over your head?

Whether you're a prospective homebuyer or a current homeowner, there are creative ways to turn your property into a money-making machine beyond building equity or renting it out to travelers. Let's explore some exciting options.

Store and Earn

Got a garage or storage space you're not using to its full potential? Rent it out! People are always on the lookout for extra storage. Search for neighborhood storage online to help you connect with renters. Your unused space could turn into a monthly paycheck.

The Host With the Most

If you have a large and attractive outdoor area,

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The housing market experiences clear trends, particularly within a geographic region as dynamic as Middle Tennessee. You have, no doubt, been catching the news and social media buzz about the wave of investors who are snapping up properties. As a homeowner preparing for sale yourself, you may have wondered whether or not you should sell to an investor if one were to approach you. As you would expect, there are pros and cons to both sides.

While your personal agent is the ideal person to consult regarding the intricacies of your situation, the following guidelines will be a useful general primer on the main things you’ll want to consider. 

The Buyer’s Future Plans

The most obvious difference between selling to a buyer who plans to move into

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Even in Middle Tennessee’s thriving real estate market, you may find that you’ve been too optimistic with your initial listing price for your property. The next reasonable step is lowering the price. Sometimes, this will draw buyers like bees flocking to blooming lavender, but there are at least as many instances of nothing happening, even a week or two later. 

But wait: who is that buyer emerging from the shadows? Is this the moment you’ve been waiting for?

No. This is a lowball sniper, the buyer who sees your home languishing on the market and thinks this is their opportunity to offer you a full eight to ten percent less than your asking price. At least, that’s what you will observe during your first interaction.

How are you meant to handle

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In the world of real estate financing, a myriad of options awaits those seeking to purchase their dream homes. One such option often arises when dealing with high-priced properties is the jumbo loan. But what exactly is a jumbo loan, and when should you consider it?

A jumbo loan is a mortgage specifically designed to finance properties that exceed the limits of a conventional conforming loan. These loans are a practical solution if you're eyeing properties that come with a hefty price tag, going beyond the thresholds set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for conforming loans.

As of 2023, the maximum limit for a conforming loan is $726,200 in most counties. Properties that surpass this figure are the ones that necessitate a jumbo

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You might have heard about the allure of fixer-upper homes. They come with a promise of potential and an opportunity to create your dream space. But, before you commit, let's figure out if that fixer-upper is a hidden gem or a money pit in disguise.

The Adventure of Buying and Renovating a Fixer-Upper Home

The Quest for the Perfect Home

Picture this: You're scrolling through home listings, and there it is—the perfect fixer-upper home. It's got character, charm, and a price tag that's friendly to your budget. The excitement is real, but before you let your dreams run wild, it's time for a reality check.

The Inspection Adventure

The first step on this journey is getting a thorough home inspection. A qualified inspector will unearth the

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