It’s that time of year again and most of us haven’t maintained our heat & AC units properly! Oh, we intend to, but time goes so quickly and we push back the chore of changing out the filters and other AC maintenance until it’s too late and summer has already hit. If you haven’t been changing them every six weeks or so you are wasting money and shortening the life of your compressor by making it work harder than it […]
Good Homes are Hard to Come By
Fridays business section says it all. Finding a home to meet the dreams, needs and requirements of a family, couple, or individual is a challenge today in our market. Although there is still a lot of inventory, those homes are often distressed, over priced for their market, or in bad locations. As exclusive buyer’s agents we steer clear of homes that would be difficult for our clients to re-sell should that become necessary for any reason. A home is not […]
Tips for Buying a New Construction Home
Out previewing new construction homes for a couple relocating to Frisco, Texas on Saturday! New home builders are forecasting their biggest year nationwide since 2007. Since the beginning of 2012 we have helped several buyers of new construction homes negotiate the price, quality of the lot and additional upgrades. It is a common misconception among buyers to assume they don’t need an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent to represent them when buying from the builder. In addition, some are under the impression […]
How Can the HARP Program Help You?
At Bill Shields, we care about you. The struggles of moving from one home to the next can be stressful and overwhelming. This is why we want to inform you of a wonderful opportunity to refinance your home if you had difficulties doing so before. With this, you may be eligible for a streamlined refinance without paying down principal, and without having to pay mortgage insurance. Todd Frank, with The Bank of Texas, has introduced a program that will get […]
Why Pre-qualification Should be Your First Step
As a buyer, it is wise to get pre-qualified before you go out looking for a home. There are many reasons, but the most important reasons are that it benefits you, your agent, and the seller. First, the most important beneficiary, of course, is you. The mortgage pre-qualification step is a relatively simple one, but it is an important one. It begins the process of formally applying for a mortgage, and it gives everyone involved–especially you–a clear sense of the […]
10 Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers
10. The worst mistake you can make is to not find, and use, a good Buyer’s Agent. Purchasing a home is the largest investment most people will make. You need to have a qualified Buyer’s Agent with you every step of the way. He can help you understand every aspect of the home buying process – financing, contracts, inspections, and closing. He will look out for your best interests and help you find the home of your dreams.
10 Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers
9. Doing too much too soon. You’ve just moved into your new home and you’re ready to put your style stamp on it. Don’t go into debt to do so. Instead, create a plan and budget and make those changes when you can afford it.
10 Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers
8. Failing to include an option period or contingency clause in the contract. Always include a financing contingency clause in a real estate contract in case something happens and you don’t qualify for the loan or the house doesn’t appraise for the purchase price. Also, in some states, there are option periods – typically a 7 to 14 day time period to allow the purchaser to have the house inspected. A fee is paid for the unrestricted right to terminate the […]
10 Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers
6. Assuming your first offer will be accepted. With home prices becoming more affordable, more people are looking to buy. You may encounter competition for a home you want so don’t get too discouraged if you lose out on a house.
10 Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers
5. Failing to budget for property taxes. Don’t forget to factor in property taxes (and the inevitable increases) into your budget. Do a little research – find out if the tax rates have gone up or down over the last few years, as well as the assessed property values. Be prepared.