Posts with tag 'First-time buyers'

After all of your hard work and careful saving, you're probably starting to look longingly at some of the beautiful Atlanta homes for sale. At this point in the process, a simple error in judgment could derail your plans. Our real estate agents want to help you avoid any such issues. 

• Don't make a major purchase.
  Lenders will check your credit before approving your loan. Buying a new car, furniture, or appliance will impact the loan in more ways than one. Not only will such a purchase lower your FICO score, but it will also increase your debt-to-income ratio or DTI. If your DTI increases to around 43%, you will be considered a risky borrower. If your loan is approved at all, it may be at a higher interest rate. Avoid making such purchases for at least six months to a year before buying a home.

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Our real estate agents want to help you achieve true peace of mind. We're always there for you throughout the process of finding the right Atlanta homes for sale, making a bid, and getting to closing day.

Your real estate agent is your ally from start to finish but doesn't do it all alone. Depending on your situation, there may be other experts on your team. One of the most important ones virtually every buyer needs is a trusted home inspector.

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In looking for Atlanta homes for sale, some people forego the buying process and build their new house themselves from the ground up. The idea certainly has its appeal. No long searches, no bidding wars, and you can get a brand new home tailored to your exact specifications. However, while good in theory, building a house may not be the best option in practice. Here are a few reasons why buying is better.

• Cost. On average, building a new home costs $34,000 more than buying one. The cost is much less straightforward, too, and always ends up being significantly more than you'd originally anticipated. You never know when, several months into the process, an unexpected obstacle arises, requiring extra money to circumvent. On the other hand, the cost of buying a house can be negotiated. You can always walk away if it's more than you're comfortable paying. In building, walking away often means giving up the money you've already invested in the project as a loss.

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You're not alone if you're flipping and flopping over buying a flipped house. Is it a good investment? Bad investment? Safe or risky? Our real estate agents know it's a tough decision. The fact is that some flipped properties can be beautiful opportunities, while others are poisoned fruit to be avoided at all costs. As with any real estate purchase, due diligence and a cautious eye can help you choose the former and avoid the latter.

Atlanta homes for sale are a hot commodity, and many investors are purchasing distressed properties, fixing them up, and selling them for a quick, tidy profit. Some of these individuals devote significant care and attention to every last detail in the process. Wary of potential legal consequences, these individuals go through the home and properly resolve critical issues such as leaking roofs and faulty wiring. They secure the necessary permits and ensure the work is done by qualified, licensed, and insured plumbers, electricians, roofers, etc. But, these individuals and the properties they renovate, restore, and remodel are not the norms.

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You may have heard that there is a shortage of real estate available in America, but our real estate agents want to assure you that there are plenty of magnificent Atlanta homes for sale, no matter your price range. But did you know that your credit score can change the affordability of your dream house? Credit scores not only make a difference in the mortgage rate but also in the type of loan for which you can qualify, including the amount of down payment required. Conventional mortgages usually require a minimum score of 620, FHA requires 580, VA and USDA require 640, and jumbo loans 700-740. Unfortunately, how these credit scores are calculated is a mystery to most consumers. Here are few ways to boost your score.

• Don't apply for new credit
  Retailers are always pitching their store cards with promises of money-saving prices and cashback on purchases. Lenders look at your FICO score to determine creditworthiness. Opening new accounts over a short period of time can signal a greater credit risk to lenders. New credit accounts for about 10% of your score.

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