Posts Tagged ‘Maryland’

Home Buying: How To Save Money For A Home

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Are you trying to save money for your first home? If yes, we are here to help you by providing you ways to save for a home.

The housing market prices and rates are still good to buy a nice and affordable home.  The issue is that most people do not have the savings to buy a home while the prices and rates are still good.

Some challenges are as followed:

-The amount to save for a home is most likely the largest fundraiser you have ever tackled.

- The time frame for saving for a home and to buy what you need for a home is longer than most goals.

-  It is hard to calculate accurately how much money you will need to not only buy a home but keep a home.

Here are 4 Ways To Save For A Home:

Save for one thing at a time. This strategy works well because it helps you set reachable goals that make you feel accomplished and stay motivated until you reach your goal of purchasing a home.  For example you can save only for your closing fee until you achieve the goal. That is when you can start saving for your insurance.

Set Year & Month Intervals For Savings.  Never tell yourself you want to save the lump sum for buying a home.  Hearing the full figure will discourage you from saving.  Set small, reachable sum goals to help you reach your bigger savings goals. For example, try to save $6,000 a year to buy a home.

Pay Yourself First

Whenever you get a paycheck, make sure you pay yourself and place this payment in your savings account. Remember to only transfer money from your savings account only to cover needed expenses until your next payday comes.

So what are you waiting for? Start saving today. Jeremy Walsh Real Estate is here to help you become the homeowner of your dream home.

If you have any questions on buying a home , please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for you!

You can also follow me on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: How To Save Money for a House

Maryland Home Appraisal: How To Be Prepared

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Do you need to prepare for a home appraisal? If yes, we are here to let you know what to expect and how to prepare.

An appraisal is defined by the Appraisal Foundation –USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) as “ The act or process of developing an opinion of value.” This valuation will determine your property market value – an estimate of what your home would sell for in the real estate market.

We understand this process can bring about much apprehension. We are here to give you a few tips to get an upper leg on your valuation:

What is a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is the process of a professional surveying your property for value. A bank often does it when a home needs to be approved for a loan. The home appraisal is a very detailed report, which includes the following information:

-        The condition of the home, the neighborhood

-        Homes similar to yours selling price

-        How quickly would a home like yours sell in the market

It is important to know that an appraisal is not a home inspection. During an appraisal only major concerns are reported. Your home will not be examined for its full condition such as your roofing and appliances.

How is the Home Appraiser Picked?

Your lender chooses the home appraiser and the lender can either have its own appraiser or contract an independent party.

 How To Prepare For A Home Appraisal

You should prepare for your home appraisal the same as you would prepare for a home sale because you are preparing for the re-selling of your home. Have all major maintenance completed. Clear and trim your yard. Paint your interior. Allow the appraiser full access to your home. Be kind and let the appraiser know about any new additions such a new windows, new flooring or a finished basement.

If you have any questions on Home Appraisals , please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for you!

You can also follow me on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn as well!

 

Source: Home Appraisal What To Expect  & How To Prepare

Home Buyers: 4 Tips To Find The Perfect Home in Maryland

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Trying to find the perfect home for your family? If yes, Jeremy Walsh Real Estate is here to help by providing you four tips on how to pick the perfect home. Get started!

Be In It For The Long Haul

When you are looking for a home, treat the situation like a long-term, healthy and committed relationship. Search for a home that you could see yourself living with for at least five to seven years.

You should do this because buying and moving to a new home takes a great deal of time and effort. It could even financially cost you a large amount of money with closing cost, moving cost, and Home monthly payments. The longer you stay in your home, the more you are likely to reap the benefits of investing in a home.

Give Yourself Room To Grow

When you decide to purchase a home, you do not want a home that fits your needs perfectly for the time being. You want a home that can adapt to your needs as your life changes.

When you have a baby, you will need room for your child to grow. When your children go off to college, you will need to most likely keep rooms for them to return the first few months after graduation.

It is okay to not be able to afford a place large enough to meet your anticipated future needs now but you should look for a home you can build home additions to for the future.

Go For Your Type Of Style

There is no such thing as a home that fits all types of lifestyles. Pick a home that fits your life and level of comfort. It could be a house, condo or a townhome. Just as long as you are happy with the property, that is all that matters.

Buy What You Can Afford

Never voluntarily set yourself up for failure. If you cannot realistically afford to buy and stay in a home, do not buy it. Sometimes you have to crawl before you walk. To buy an affordable home, examine your finances, potential future expenses, and do not live beyond your means.

It is wise to buy a home you can afford rather than buy a home you took a stretch to purchase. Being a homeowner takes unexpected financial commitments. Problems will inevitably arise, be prepared to handle it.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for you!

You can also follow me on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn as well!

 

Source:  10 Tips To Find The Perfect Home

Home Seller :How To Sell Your Home at Asking Price Fast

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Are you putting your home up for sale but have no idea what to do to sell your home fast in a down market? If yes, we are here to help you sell your home fast without adding to your stress by providing four tips that work!

A few years ago it was very challenging to sell your home at the asking price or to get multiple offers above the asking price. Home Sellers thought the real estate market would continue to go up but the market has been dropping in home value and demand.

If you are trying to sell your home at your asking price, you should take the following steps:

Price It Right From The Start

To mark the price of the home you are selling right, research what comparable homes are selling for right now. Some sellers are not very flexible on price and homebuyers at this time want to buy homes with a flexible price. Try not to get your emotions involved to avoid getting stuck on a certain price.

Have Curb Appeal

One guarantee way to sell a home is to give your home curb appeal. You can do this by getting your home power washed. Put a fresh coat of paint on the trim and the doors. Put new exterior lights and knockers on your front area. If you have plants, make sure they look lively. These steps will have potential buyers coming through your door rather than looking from the curb.

 No Clutter

The best way to sell a home is to keep it clutter free.  When a home is organized and cleaned, potential buyers can picture themselves in the living space. Some ways to remove clutter is to take personal photos off the interior walls. Replace on the wall instead neutral framed art.

Next, take everything off your countertops. This will make it seem you have more counter space. If possible, remove clothing from your closets and put it into storage so homebuyers can envision the closet as a potential place for them to store their personal items.

 Offer Bonuses

Last but not least, add bonuses for buyers. For example, if a homebuyer accepts your asking price, offer to pay for closing costs. Often buyers worry about closing costs expense so this could be a very attractive offer for first time buyers. Or offer to pay homeowner’s association fees for a year. Think of something you wish you had the option to accept when you bought your first home.

For more ways to sell your home quick, hire Jeremy Walsh Real Estate.

Our mission is to provide superior client service, education, consultation, and exclusive representation to you in a step by step approach with our ultimate goal being to make you, our valued client, comfortable throughout the entire high trust buying or selling experience. We promise ongoing communication with you and the ability to proactively handle all of your questions, concerns, and needs in a timely manner. For our valued clients, we provide professional sales, marketing, and communication skills to negotiate on your behalf and ensure you get what you deserve, if buying – the home of your dreams for the right price, under the proper terms and conditions, if selling – the maximum price for your home in the shortest period of time, with the least amount of issues!

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for you!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: 10 Tips To Help Sell Your Home Fast In A Down

Home Buying: How To Buy A Home At A Fair Price

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Are you buying a new home? If yes, you need to learn how to get a fair price on a home. This article will provide you three tips to help you not get ripped off while buying a home. Read to learn how to get a fair deal on the home of your dreams.

 Learn How To Accurately Compare Property

 Comparable property is when property is similar in size, condition, neighborhood and amenities of another property. When comparing similar property, you can discover what is a fair price for the property you are interested in buying. Look at the price of larger and nicer properties. Compare those price tags with the property you are interested in buying.

Next, compare the property to smaller and less attractive properties. Write down the prices. Once you have both comparisons, make a graph of your findings. Where do you feel the home you are interested in buying fits? Write down your answer and keep this document with you when talking with the home seller.

A reasonable seller will always sell a home close market comparable pricing, if he or she wants to be competitive.

 Look At Comparable Properties That Have Not Sold

If the price of the home you are interested in buying price is relatively close to the homes that had to be taken off the market because they could not sell, the property you are looking at may be overpriced.

You should always look at the unsold inventory index for information about current supply and demand in the housing market. The index will tell you how to measure the amount of time it should take a home to sell on the market. If the home you want to buy has been on the market longer than those of the same property traits, it could be overpriced or may have some physical problems to it.

 Get An Opinion From A Real Estate Agent

 A professional real estate agent can help you analyze housing market data and tell you whether the property you are looking into is priced appropriately or not. Let Jeremy Walsh Real Estate tell you what a fair offering price might be today.

Our mission is to provide superior client service, education, consultation, and exclusive representation to you in a step by step approach with our ultimate goal being to make you, our valued client, comfortable throughout the entire high trust buying or selling experience. We promise ongoing communication with you and the ability to proactively handle all of your questions, concerns, and needs in a timely manner. For our valued clients, we provide professional sales, marketing, and communication skills to negotiate on your behalf and ensure you get what you deserve, if buying – the home of your dreams for the right price, under the proper terms and conditions, if selling – the maximum price for your home in the shortest period of time, with the least amount of issues!

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for you!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

 Source: 10 Tips For Getting A Fair Price On A Home

About The True Costs To Sell Your Home

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Looking to sell your home this year? If yes, we are here to help you. This article will provide you information on how to calculate the real cost it will take you to sell your home and help you sell quicker. Read below to get informed.

To calculate the true cost of selling your home you will need to review realtor’s commission, repairs, and house closing costs. We will give you details on each category.

Realtor’s Commission

When you list your house for sale, you will have to mark up the price right away to cover commission. Commission can be 6% or more to make sure you do not lose your profit margin. For example a $200,000 house would cost a realtor $12,000 to sell the home.

Repairs

Repairs to home property can be costly in both time and money.  Repairs can include new paint jobs, new carpet, new flooring, landscape work and other remodeling factors. Repairs could cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars. Repair cost all depends on the size and the age of your home. For example, an older home is more inclined to need major repairs on plumbing, electrical or HVAC systems.

House Closing Costs

When you finally close a house, fees will be associated with the closing. As a home owner, you will need to go to the Realtor’s title company and pay fees. You will also need to pay the Mortgage Company and miscellaneous fees. House closing costs are 3 to 5% of a home’s sale price. Going back to the example of selling a $200,000 home, the closing costs could be an additional $6,000 to $10,000.

Sell your home without losing your investment, with Jeremy Walsh Real Estate.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for You!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: The True Costs to Sell A Home

Can You Exclude Your Gain From Taxes After Selling Your Main Home?

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Do you know if you qualify to exclude your gain, after selling your home? If you do not know whether you would qualify to exclude gain on your taxes after selling your home, then we are here to help by providing you a few real estate tax tips. Read below to get informed.

You can qualify to exclude from your income all or part of your gain, once you sell your home.

To be excluded, you are required by law to meet the ownership and use tests.  The ownership and use tests mean before the 5-year period before the sale of your home you must meet the following requirements:

· You must have owned your home for two years; this will make you pass your ownership test.

·You have to have lived in your home for at least two years to pass the use test.

Gain

If you gain from the sale of your home, you could be qualified to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income. If you are able to exclude all the gain, you will not need to report anything abut the sale on your tax return. If you cannot exclude the gain, it is taxable. It would be reported as a Schedule D (Form 1040).

Loss

You will not be able to deduct a loss from the sale of your main home.

To be sure you get the most out of the sale of your home, contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for You!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: Sale of Residence- Real Estate Tax Tips

3 Mortgage Tips For 2012 Homebuyers

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Are you buying a home in 2012? If yes, we have three mortgage tips for you to use as a homebuyer. Read below to get started.

Getting a mortgage loan is difficult in this economy but you can still get a mortgage with a good rate in 2012. Here are some tips to help you:

Look at Your Credit

If you have good credit, it will help you secure a mortgage at a decent rate. Have copies of your credit score and credit history from all three main credit reporting bureaus. Be sure there are no errors on your credit report before you apply for mortgage. A lender requires a minimum credit score of 680 on most homes. You should not have a credit score under 620 if you want to qualify for a home mortgage.

Be Prepared

You should have the basic documents you need for a mortgage application. Also you should have your last two pay stubs, W-2s, income tax returns and bank statements before visiting the lender’s office. You should have all these materials saved in an electronic format, in case you need to resend materials.

Know Your Affordability

Never rely on a lender to tell you how much you qualify for a mortgage. Never borrow the maximum amount on a mortgage loan. Have a budget planned in advance and have a little extra saved  in case unexpected expenses come up. You should use a bank-rate calculator to determine your affordability and estimate your monthly house mortgage payments.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for You!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: 12 Mortgage Tips for 2012 Homebuyers

5 Real Estate Tips For Profitable Return in Your Investment

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Are you looking for ways to make your real estate investment be a profitable return for you? If yes, we are here to help by providing you five real estate tips to maintain your real estate investment profitability. Read below to get informed.

Homes Increase In Value Over Time

As the economy demonstrates, home prices will not only go up in value but can go down in value because of the worth of a dollar. You should always buy a home you can afford and put a big down payment upon. Make sure your monthly payments are affordable for you.

Buy Low

If you have the money, now is a good time to buy a home because of the high affordability. Buy one you plan to stay in long-term. The prices are low right now and you have a better chance to bargain interest rates. Your home will be one of the top best investments you will ever make in life.

Never Wait Too Long To Take Advantage of Low Prices

You should never hesitate to invest in a home that is at a low price, especially when you adore the home. Economic markets are volatile and you will never predict how long the prices for homes will stay low.

Three Elements to Owning a Home the Smart Way

When buying a home you need to look at fixed mortgage, affordable payments and long-term hold. You need to always search for a meaningful down payment and make sure you get a fixed monthly payment that is compatible with your income. Never buy something that you will not be happy with in the long-term.

Buying Your Dream Home Can Be A Nightmare

A dream home is often very pricey and comes with adjusting mortgage payments, and unsustainable monthly payments. Never allow your eyes to be bigger than your wallet. Put yourself in house you can afford rather than a house that is only possible in a dream.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) on your side to handle all of the important details for You!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: Five Real Estate Tips From Warren Buffet

Top 3 Tips For Buying Your First Home

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Are you buying your very first home this New Year? If yes, we are here to help by providing you the top 3 tips for buying your first home. Read below.

If you are no longer a fan of the rent game, it is time to become a homeowner. But before you start, read the following tips on being successful in the home buying process:

Check Your Credit Score and Be Ready For A Long-term Commitment

Becoming a homeowner is no short-term deal. You should expect to live in your home for at the least three to five years or longer. Be sure you are being realistic when picking your home. It is okay to dream big but make sure you can comfortably afford living in the home you choose.

Lenders will decide on your mortgage qualification based on your income, assets, debt to income ration, your savings, and your job stability. And above all, they will look at your credit score. Borrowers with scores of 720 and over are given the privilege of paying the lowest mortgage rates. If your credit score is under 620, you will not qualify for a mortgage until you improve your score.

Set a Housing Budget

After a lender tells you how much you can borrow, you should budget your income and spending. Ask yourself what you are willing to spend on a housing payment. Financial experts suggest you spend a maximum of 30% of your gross monthly income on principal, interest, homeowners insurance and taxes.

Start Saving and Stop Spending

Make sure you start a savings in advance before you start searching for a home. You can get an estimate of your mortgage payment and start saving the difference between the payment and your current rent cost. If you do not have a big savings, expect to have a higher housing payment.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Walsh Real Estate by calling 443-610-5722 or click here today!

You need to be exclusively represented and have Jeremy Walsh (located in Baltimore, Maryland) On your side to handle all of the important details for You!

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well!

Source: Top 10 Tips For Buying Your First Home