What determines what your home is worth? Spoiler alert: It’s not just the number you wish it would sell for (sorry). Whether you’re buying, selling, or just Zillow-stalking your own house after a neighbor lists theirs for $75K over asking, understanding what impacts...
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Home Assessed Value vs Market Value: What’s the Difference, and Why Should You Care?
Let’s be honest — the words “assessed value” and “market value” sound like they were cooked up by people who love paperwork more than pizza. But understanding the difference between these two can seriously impact your taxes, your listing price, and how smugly you sip...
What is Loan Term? Why It Might Matter More Than Your Interest Rate
Ever had a conversation with your mortgage lender or real estate agent and thought, "Why does everyone keep asking me about my loan term like it's a BuzzFeed quiz result?" Well, it's because your loan term is one of the most important (and underrated) parts of your...
Does Getting Pre-Approved Hurt Your Credit? The Real Deal
Credit scores often feel like a mystery wrapped in a riddle, sprinkled with anxiety. And when someone mentions getting pre-approved for a mortgage, the first thing people ask is: Will this mess up my credit? If you’re preparing to buy a home—or helping someone else do...
What Is a Second Mortgage? (And Should You Get One?)
What Is a Second Mortgage? Understanding the Basics and Beyond If you own a home and have built up some equity, or if you’re purchasing and looking for a creative financing option, you may have come across the term “second mortgage.” It sounds a bit like a sequel you...
Selling Your Home in Summer: How to Turn Heat Into Offers
The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and the scent of fresh-cut lawn is basically free aromatherapy. Summer feels like the perfect time to sell your home—and it is, if you play it right. But here’s the truth: buyers aren’t just out to swoon over your...
What to Look for During a Summer Home Inspection: Don’t Let the Sunshine Fool You
It’s sunny, the lawn looks lush, and the A/C is blasting—everything seems perfect during a summer home tour. But before you fall in love with that charming front porch, remember: summer can hide a multitude of sins (and we're not just talking about overwatered...
Pre-Approval Checklist: Everything You Need Before House Hunting Gets Real
Let’s be honest: trying to buy a home without pre-approval is like bringing Monopoly money to an auction. Sellers won’t take you seriously—and neither will your real estate agent. Luckily, getting pre-approved is easier than assembling Ikea furniture, and we’ve teamed...
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford? A Practical Guide That Doesn’t Require a Finance Degree
Buying a home is exciting—until you start asking the big question: How much mortgage can I actually afford? Cue the calculator panic. But don’t worry, this guide breaks it down into plain English, with a little humor and a lot of clarity. We’ve teamed up with loan...
Summer Homebuying Tips: How to Win in the Hottest Season (Literally and Financially)
Looking to buy a home this summer? You're not alone—and you're not crazy. OK, maybe just a little bit, but in the best way. Summer is prime time for ice cream trucks, sunscreen regrets, and yes, competitive real estate. If you're a first-time buyer or just finally...
Can I Really Afford to Buy a Home? (Spoiler: It’s Probably More Possible Than You Think)
The Dream vs. The Doubt If you’ve ever stared longingly at a "For Sale" sign and thought, “Must be nice…” — you’re not alone. Buying a home feels out of reach for a lot of people, especially with rising costs, headlines about interest rates, and the myth that you need...
Here’s the Advice Your Loan Officer Wishes You Knew Before Buying a Home
Mortgages Are More Than Just Numbers When you're buying a home, you probably expect your loan officer to talk about things like credit scores, down payments, and interest rates. And yes, those are important. But there’s a whole other layer of advice — the kind most...
Why May and June Are the Best Months to List Your Home (And It’s Not Just About the Sunshine)
Timing Is Everything (Yes, Even in Real Estate) If you've been thinking about selling your home, but keep waiting for the "perfect time," consider this your not-so-subtle nudge: May and June are the golden window. No, it’s not just because your lawn finally looks...
What Happens to Home Prices and Mortgage Rates During a Recession? (And Should You Panic?)
The R-Word Nobody Likes to Say Aloud Ah, recession. That five-syllable word that instantly makes people tighten their wallets, Google “Should I cancel Netflix?”, and wonder if now is the absolute worst time to buy or sell a home. But before we let the doom-and-gloom...
Top 7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home in a New Community
New construction homes come with fresh paint, modern layouts, and that irresistible “never been lived in” feeling. But before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you're asking the right questions—because the shiny model home doesn't tell the whole story....
Why Buying in a New Construction Community Might Just Be the Smartest Move You Make
Thinking about buying a home? Here’s why going “new” might feel a little like getting first dibs on the future. Introduction: The Fresh Paint Advantage Let’s be honest: buying a home can feel like a high-stakes episode of a reality show. There’s drama, competition,...
The Ultimate Mortgage Loan Checklist: Avoid Surprises and Stress Less
A must-have guide for homebuyers to confidently navigate the mortgage process Getting a mortgage can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Unexpected requests, missing paperwork, or unclear steps can lead to costly delays—or worse, losing out on the...
Debunking Myths: Waiting Won’t Always Save You Money
You’ve probably heard it before: “I’m going to wait. Prices will drop.”“Rates are too high — I’ll buy next year.”“We’re just going to sit tight until the market cools down.” Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone — but you might be misinformed. Today, we’re tackling...
Home Loans
Can I Get a Mortgage If I Just Started a New Job?
You just started a new job, your inbox is still full of HR forms, and now...
What Impacts Home Value? 10 Key Factors That Can Raise (or Lower) Your Property’s Worth
What determines what your home is worth? Spoiler alert: It’s not just the...
Home Assessed Value vs Market Value: What’s the Difference, and Why Should You Care?
Let’s be honest — the words “assessed value” and “market value” sound like...
What is Loan Term? Why It Might Matter More Than Your Interest Rate
Ever had a conversation with your mortgage lender or real estate agent and...
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