New Search
If you are not happy with the results below please do another search
Blog Post
If you are looking to sell your home in the near future, now might be the best time for you to put your home on the market. Right now, the housing market's demand for homes is at a new high and fewer homes are available for sale. High demand and low supply mean your home will almost definitely sell, so consider selling at a premium. If family members or friends are interested in purchasing a home, you may be able to persuade them to buy your home, making the whole process simpler, faster and cheaper. Best Practices: Smart Tips to Help Your...
read more →
Blog Post
One of the most important decisions when buying a house is how you will pay your insurance and property taxes each year. Depending on the type of loan you have received, an escrow account may be the right decision for you. What is an escrow payment? An escrow payment is a portion of a mortgage payment that is set aside in an escrow account. The escrow account holds money owed for your expenses such as insurance premiums and property taxes. The borrower pays an additional fee on top of their monthly expenses. This money gets put into an escrow account. At the...
read more →
Blog Post
Tiny Houses One of the newest trends sweeping the country is the tiny home movement. Tiny homes, typically under 500 square feet, focus on embracing the minimalist lifestyle as well as saving money, saving space, and decreasing harmful effects on the environment. Tiny houses are becoming the new way of living. In the 1990s, tiny houses started to gain traction. According to USA Today, in 2016, there were an estimated 10,000 tiny houses in the United States. Tiny homes are becoming a popular housing option among those under the age of 35 as well as Baby Boomers. They are created in...
read more →
Blog Post
What is the Difference Between Mobile Homes and Modular Homes? Many people believe that mobile and modular homes are the same things, but this is not correct. There are a few key differences that set the two apart from each other. Mobile homes, otherwise known as trailer homes, are usually small and equipped with a set of wheels. Built in the 70s, these mobile homes were not particularly safe as there weren't many regulations for building. Mobile homes became more strictly regulated after 1980 and became known as manufactured homes. These manufactured homes were much nicer than the older mobile homes, built to meet...
read more →
Blog Post
House hunting is both an exciting and daunting task. Many home buyers are so excited with their final choice for a house that they immediately make an offer and fail to read and understand the full disclosure agreement. This is a mistake that can lead to more problems down the line. Be sure to always get as much information as possible so you can make the best decision when purchasing. There are many trustworthy and useful sources of information available to you when you're purchasing or closing on a home. The disclosure agreement, property listing sites, home inspector, realtor agent,...
read more →
Blog Post
Did your mortgage application get denied? Before you count yourself out for mortgage eligibility, read up on the latest changes GSE Fannie Mae made to its mortgage eligibility requirements. Implemented in late July 2017, Fannie Mae's new guidelines widen the net of eligibility, so more applicants can receive financing. Not only have debt-to-income (DTI) ratio limits increased, but down payment requirements for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have decreased. These changes, along with modifications in Fannie Mae's application process, will streamline the process, making it more user-friendly. Higher DTI requirements Fannie Mae's new guidelines increase debt-to-income ratio limits to 50%. This means you can now...
read more →
Blog Post
A home appraisal is a report that assesses and estimates a home's true value. During the mortgage application process, the appraisal is used to determine the market value of the home so lenders can make an informed decision on whether or not the amounted of money requested by borrowers is appropriate. Home Appraisal Process: The buyer/borrower makes an offer to buy the home. Both buyer and seller accept the offer and sign a purchase agreement. The purchase agreement is then passed to the lender. The lender will order an appraisal and the appraiser will determine its market value. An appraisal...
read more →
Blog Post
Breakdown of Home Inspection Costs Looking to buy a home? Already have one in mind? That's great! All you need to do now is get a home inspection! Use our home inspection checklist to help keep you on track. To do this, you'll have to contact a home inspector. Home inspectors play a very important role in the homebuying process. The home inspection is a thorough and meticulous process. Home inspectors have to inspect every inch of the property, including crawl spaces, attics, roofing, and more. When an inspector inspects a home, they don't just gaze over the interior and exterior...
read more →
Blog Post
Settling into a new home can be, paradoxically, both busy and relaxing, as you pack and unpack boxes before finally slumping onto your new couch. With some creative thinking, you can cut back on the stress of settling into a new home and streamline those busy moments. Other than packing, of course, there are several things that you should do before moving. For example, consider hiring some professionals to help you along the way, like a moving company or a cleaning service. When conducting research on who to hire, get at least three quotes and compare prices. Here are some simple steps...
read more →
Blog Post
Homeowners in Connecticut pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. The average effective property tax rate is around 1.83%, which ranks as the eight highest tax rate among all the states. The property taxes are also entirely administered by cities and towns. Homeowners deal directly with local officials, but the state is responsible for some oversight functions. The table below displays the average effective property tax rates for each of Connecticut's 8 counties. CT Property Tax Rates: County Avg. Tax Rate Fairfield 1.57% Hartford 1.98% Litchfield 1.69% Middlesex 1.71% New Haven 2.01% New London 1.56% Tolland 1.85%...
read more →
« Previous Page — Next Page »