Buy a House

If you're thinking about buying a home, you'll need to figure out how much money to save in order to make it happen. By calculating how much you can afford to pay for a home, as well as how you'll pay for a down payment and other initial expenses, you'll be taking important first steps toward buying your new home.

Our REALTORS® share the following information about how much you should save — as well as how to do it — to buy a house:

Click Here to Read More...

This time of year you'll find pumpkins in grocery stores, at pumpkin patches, and even at some of your big-box home improvement stores. In addition to making good seasonal decorations, pumpkins can also be used in a variety of other ways. Our REALTORS® suggest the following ways to make the most out of your pumpkins:

Click Here to Read More...

If you're looking at Midland homes for sale, you may tour dozens of properties before you find a perfect fit. Finding a home with adequate space and style may seem like a challenge, but it's not impossible with help from professionals like our REALTORS® who understand your needs.

Everyone's dream home is different, but flooring is one feature that's important to all homeowners. While some people prefer the natural appeal of hardwood floors, others prefer the cushion of carpet under their feet. Choosing between hardwood and carpet can greatly impact style, durability, maintenance, and costs. Here's what you should know about each.

Click Here to Read More...

As digital real estate listings continue to grow in popularity, video tours have become a convenient way to view Midland homes for sale from any location. In 2020, health concerns due to the pandemic have essentially made these tours standard operating procedure.

But even the most sophisticated video technology can't reveal the whole picture. Get a more complete view by asking our REALTORS® these seven important questions during a video tour. 

1. Can You Send Me a Floor Plan?
   If you can't visit a home in person, perspective is one aspect where a two-dimensional view is more helpful than video. A printed floor plan shows exactly where each room is in relation to the others. You can also use the plan as a prompt to ask the real estate agent about doorways and other shared features. Request the floor plan ahead of time so you can follow along during the live tour.

   Click Here to Read More...

February 10th is National Home Warranty Day, and it's the perfect day to sit down and determine if the home you want to purchase requires a warranty. When our clients buy a home, our REALTORS® recommend carefully considering the options (and possible consequences) when making this critical decision.

Purchase a Warranty for Peace of Mind

Your home is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. You'll invest time, money, and resources in the property as the years go by. Purchasing a warranty can give you peace of mind that if something goes wrong, all of the time and money you invest in the property won't go down the drain. At a typical cost of a few hundred dollars per year for a single-family home, a home warranty is a relatively inexpensive line-item in your budget.

Click Here to Read More...

Your real estate agent is a master of many skills. Your real estate agent does more than help you navigate the terms of the contract when you purchase Midland Homes for Sale. They are a coordinator, negotiator, mediator, and manager who ensures all the details of the transaction fall into place. Many first time home buyers and seasoned real estate investors are surprised to learn that real estate agents can also perform the following tasks.

• Help with Short-Term Housing
  It's common for homebuyers to need a short-term place to stay when they purchase a home. Whether you are moving into the area, waiting for renovations, searching for a short-term lease until the seller is ready to move, your real estate agent can help you find a place to hang your hat until the house is ready.

  Click Here to Read More...

Buying a house is one of the best New Year's resolutions you can make, but achieving that goal will take work. Fortunately, there are proven steps any aspiring homeowner can take to simplify the process and achieve their dream home. Our real estate agents are happy to help, with five tips for making your dream of homeownership a reality in 2020.

• Try a Budget Test Run
  While you're in the early stages of searching through Midland homes for sale, it's helpful to try a test run of the budget that you'll use once you buy a home. Consider your likely monthly mortgage payment, utilities, maintenance, and homeowners insurance. Living in this budget ahead of time will give you a taste of what your finances will be like once you own a home, and can help you get a solid idea of what fits your budget.

  Click Here to Read More...

Many people struggle to purchase their dream home because they can't afford to make the 20% down payment. Of course, you can put down less than 20%, but you'll be saddled with private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can make it more challenging to pay off your mortgage. Fortunately for veterans and active military members, they can fulfill their dreams of homeownership through a VA loan. Our REALTORS® break down some of the important things you should know about VA loans and how they work.

What is a VA Loan?

A VA loan is a mortgage loan that is made by private lenders through a program established by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The program was designed to help veterans, active-duty military personnel, eligible surviving spouses of veterans, and other classes of military personnel to become homeowners at an affordable cost. The VA guarantees a part of the loan, sets eligibility requirements, and dictates the terms of the loan offered. The VA loan does not require down payments, mortgage insurance, or some closing costs.

Click Here to Read More...

The loss of a loved one can unleash a flood of emotions. It can feel as if you are treading water as you wade through thoughts and memories deciding what to do with their property. When you inherit a home, the first thing to know is that you inherit all the rights and responsibilities that go with the property. To help you through the process, our REALTORS® recommend moving forward slowly and methodically to expedite the process and avoid costly mistakes. 

• Take Care of Business
  Your first steps should be to update the homeowner's insurance policy and transfer all the utility accounts into your name. Even if you are planning to sell the home, you want to keep the utilities operational to prevent damage to the property. It is also vital to continue making all mortgage, property tax, and HOA payments.

  Click Here to Read More...

There's a lot of truth in the old saying that "Home is where the heart is." As the years pass, memories are made and your heart and home become intertwined. When a seller decides to move, they make the decision to leave a little bit of themselves behind. It's common for sellers of Midland homes for sale to want to sell their home to someone who will take care of the place where so many of their cherished memories were made. When buying a home, a personalized offer letter helps you stand out from other prospective buyers. It gives sellers an opportunity to get to know you better and decide whether you're the right person to hand their keys over to when they lock the door for the last time.

Personalization Counts

Personalized offer letters should be handwritten and sent on visually appealing stationery. This creates a more personal touch than something you type out and sign. Writing your letter in a friendly, heartfelt tone of voice creates a connection between you and the seller. It establishes bridges between your dreams for the future, and the ways the seller used the home. This builds trust and shows the seller that you'll care for the property.

Click Here to Read More...