First Time Home Buyers | Tampa Bay Homes for Sale

4 Tips for Finding the Right Mortgage Lender

Especially when interest rates are low, you can go online and see dozens of ads for mortgages each day. If you're in the market for a home loan, it's tempting to click on the ad that shows the almost unbelievably lowest rate. Of course, that's what the lenders want you to do. They are using those low rates to generate leads for their loan business. But there's more to picking the right lender than simply clicking on the lowest rate you see on a screen. Not all lenders or loans are created … Continue reading...

Pro’s & Con’s of Buying vs Renting

In past decades, the decision whether to buy or rent a home could move from buy to rent and back again based on interest rates and market factors mostly. However, over the long haul, the consensus was that it was usually better to buy than to rent. Renting was often considered as throwing money away, since there was no equity being built over time. In more recent times, there are other factors that have complicated the decision for many. Particularly for the Millennial generation and younger … Continue reading...

Renting vs. Buying: 3 Questions to Answer about Yourself

Various homeownership surveys show that about two-thirds of renters aspire to someday be homeowners. And the National Association of Realtors reports that about one-third of all homebuyers each year are first-time buyers. Depending on the market, renting vs. buying is often a financial decision, which makes the most sense for a household's budget. But even when one or the other is less expensive, at least on the surface, homeownership may not be for everyone. When it comes to renting vs. … Continue reading...

Buying Tip: Making sure the Neighborhood is right for you

When shopping for a home, particularly if you are buying your first, it is easy to get excited about features. It is important to like the home you are buying and for it to fit your lifestyle and needs, but back up a bit and look around it. Perhaps you had good help in locating the home, or maybe you found it online or went to an open house. You may have even done some research on the neighborhood or area of town. Considering the fact that you will probably own the home for at least five to … Continue reading...

Do Buyers Need a Home Warranty?

There are quite a few upfront costs associated with buying a home, including the down payment, closing costs, and moving expenses. Those are all expected. When moving into a home, the last thing homebuyers need is a large, unexpected expense on top of those. That's where a home warranty comes in. A home warranty offers limited-time protection against the failure of a home's systems - heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, and sometimes appliances. It is different from homeowners' … Continue reading...

What is a Title Binder and What’s In It?

A title binder, or title insurance binder, is also called a title commitment. It is a document created by a title insurer that binds the insurer to issue a title insurance policy if certain conditions are met. It is a commitment to issue the policy. A title insurance policy protects the owner of real estate from certain threats to their legal ownership. Before a title binder is issued, the title insurance company does a thorough title search of documents recorded at the courthouse and … Continue reading...

Debunking Common Home Buying Myths

If you are a first-time home buyer, you understandably may have heard a million things about buying a home, and unfortunately some of the them may not be correct. While there may be many things that you need to learn along the way to get the full story on buying a house, there are some common myths that can be debunked for you right now to help you make a better overall decision about your home buying plans. You Need to Put 20 Percent Down One of the most common myths relates to how much money … Continue reading...

Buying a House “As Is”

When you're investigating buying a house, you quickly discover homes available in various conditions. If you've found a home you really like and the seller includes an "as is" clause in the contract, it's understandable to hesitate. Sometimes an "as is" home is quite redeemable and other times, it can turn into a money pit. It's important to consider several aspects before buying a house "as is." How "as is" affects a purchase contract In a standard home purchase contract, it states that key … Continue reading...

RE/MAX Reject: Why Home Buyers should choose a RE/MAX Agent

Anyone can show you houses. Watch this video to learn why you should choose a RE/MAX Agent when buying your next home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtaAX4Cw9MI&feature=youtu.be Are You thinking of buying a Home in Tampa Bay? Use our site to search homes for sale in Tampa Bay and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated EVERY HOUR. By creating a Property Manager account you can stay on top of … Continue reading...

5 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting and costly actions you'll likely take in your adult life. Doing it right takes time. Finding a home -- one that fits your current and future needs in a location that you love -- isn't always easy. Before you scour the internet and talk to real estate agents about buying a home, there are a few things to consider. Whether you're in your twenties or your fifties, be sure to ask about these five important factors when you buy your first … Continue reading...

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