Articles Tagged "For buyers"

If you're in the market for a home, you'll go through many steps before you finally close the deal and move into your new home. Our REALTORS® are experienced and knowledgeable about the home-buying process and can make the process go as smoothly as possible.
  
They offer the following six tips that every home buyer needs:

Click Here to Read More...

When you're ready to buy a home, you're likely to see new homes as well as older ones on the market. Each has its pros and cons, so how do you decide which type of home is better for you?

Our REALTORS® suggest looking at the following differences when you're deciding whether to buy a new or older home:

Click Here to Read More...

Midland, MI, located in the central area of the state, is a wonderful community to call home, with several attributes making it stand out not only in Michigan but also in the country. It captures a small-town feeling and friendliness and combines it with plenty of opportunities for recreation, dining, and more that could be associated with a larger city. You'll also benefit from the area's other important qualities, such as a relatively low cost of living and a high degree of safety.

Our REALTORS® share some of the best reasons to buy a home in the area and move to Midland:

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...

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...

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...

Our REALTORS® bring the dream of homeownership within reach for buyers from all kinds of backgrounds. No matter whether you've never owned a home before, are early in your career or later in life, we will support your goal.

Midland homes for sale are available to meet virtually any need. Even if you have a relatively modest budget or very specific requirements, there is a home here for you. There are several ways virtually anyone can make a home more attainable.

Let's consider the possibilities:

1. Begin Saving Early
   It's important to realize that a 20% down payment is no longer a requirement to buy a home. Still, the more you are able to save, the easier it will be to finance the rest. Savings begins with a household budget. You'll need one in the run-up to buying and afterward!

   Click Here to Read More...

The final walk-through is a thrilling time, and it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment. It's important to remain focused and thoroughly study the property to ensure that nothing has changed since your last visit. To that end, Our REALTORS® help guide our clients through the property so that there are no surprises when you move in. 

You need to prepare before you can do the final walk-through of the property. You will want to bring a copy of the final contract, a notebook, and the home inspection summary. It is also advisable to bring your phone and your phone charger as you can use these to test the electrical outlets within the property. Once you have everything you need, then you will be ready to look for the following seven items:   

1. Verify Final Repairs
   Make sure that all items within the inspection summary are complete and that the work was performed in a satisfactory manner. You will want to carefully review any warranties and receipts related to the repairs and ensure that any warranties are transferable to you as the new owner. You will also want to verify that any debris or garbage stemming from the repairs has been removed.

   Click Here to Read More...