Nothing is Ever Wasted

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MY THOUGHT OF THE DAY… Who ever you call or refer to as your God, your Higher Source, your Buddha, or your Creator; the one who has all of the power in this universe… that one for me I call “God”.

But no matter what religion you are or what spiritual belief you are congruent with, I truly believe that this universe and the one who created it wants only the greatest of blessing for you. Every dream you have begins with the understanding that you stand firmly in this day as being “Enough”. You are smart enough, talented enough, hungry enough, humble enough, and worthy enough for this dream of yours to become your reality.

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Will The New Credit Score System Help You Get A Mortgage

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A new bill in Congress could significantly impact your ability to secure a mortgage by changing the way lenders look at credit scores.

In December 2015, two members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a new bill. Known as H.R. 4211, or the Credit Score Competition Act, the bill is in its first stage of the legislative process. Although it’s a long way from becoming a law (and your eyes may have glazed over at all that legislative jargon), future homebuyers have good reason to keep an eye on this bill. Proponents say it should help a number of first-time homebuyers compete in the real estate market.

That’s because the bill would push for a new credit-scoring system, one that could potentially allow more buyers to secure funding (and be more competitive in the Portland, OR, real estate market and other challenging markets). But how much will it really help your credit-score rating – and how quickly

Read More… http://www.trulia.com/blog/new-credit-score-rating-system/

Why Do Certain Billings, MT Homes Sell for More Money?

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“Aggressive marketing will put more money in your pocket.”

For today’s topic, we are going to explore why some homes in the same area sell faster and for more money than others. There are a lot of factors to pay attention to when selling a home, and here are a few that can greatly affect your home’s value.

 

THE FIRST DETERMINING FACTOR IS LOCATION.

For example, maybe a home is at the end of a cul-de-sac in an area with less traffic, or it has a better yard with a better view. It’s something you can’t control, but something you need to keep an eye out for nonetheless when you’re comparing your home to others in the neighborhood.

THE SECOND THING WE WANT TO MENTION IS PRESENTATION.

Now, this is something you can control. It plays an important role in how fast and for how much your home will sell. You can increase your return on investment if you take the time to make sure that when buyers walk through your home, the atmosphere is inviting, and the home smells fresh, clean, and airy. People don’t want to walk into a home with pet odors, so it’s good to neutralize those as well.

THE LAST THING THAT WILL AFFECT A HOME SALE IS MARKETING, WHICH IS WHERE WE COME IN.

An aggressive marketing campaign will get you the maximum exposure to the buyers that are out there and it’s going to put more money in your pocket at the end of the day, which is our goal. We can consult you on what you need to do in order to maximize your marketing.

That’s all we’ve got for you today. If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Billings, MT Real Estate Home Security Tips Part II

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“Security systems have come a long way in the last 20 years.”

We’re here with Part II of things you can do to prevent a burglar from entering your home. In our previous discussion, we talked about installing a peephole in your door, reinforcing locked doors, and keeping an eye out for open garage doors in your neighborhood. We have a few more tips for you from our security adviser.

FIRST OFF, BE PREPARED WITH A PLAN

In case the unthinkable does happen, the best defense for you and your family is a plan that outlines exactly what to do if an intruder breaks in. If you can, set up a safe room with a cell phone that can be used to call the authorities. If you have children, practice your plan just as you practice fire drills.

YOU CAN ALSO GET A SECURITY SYSTEM.

Security systems have come a long way in the last 20 years. Systems now have remote viewing access and you can adjust heat, lights, and locks from afar. The security sign itself is a strong deterrent to criminals, and most systems have a panic button that will instantly call the police.

FINALLY, TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN YOU GO AWAY ON VACATION.

Burglars often prowl neighborhoods looking for homes that appear as if someone has been away for an extended period of time. Set lights, music, and TVs on a timer to make it look like someone is home. Keep newspaper and mail deliveries going, but ask a neighbor to collect them so they don’t pile up on the front porch. You can even ask a trusted neighbor to park in your driveway to make it look like someone is home.

If you have any other questions on today’s topic, please give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

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What is the Difference Between a Home Inspection and a Home Appraisal?

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“Home inspections are visual inspections.”

Today we are talking about the differences between home inspections and home appraisals, which is a question we’ve received a lot lately. A lot of sellers have asked me about this lately, and want to know how to differentiate between the two.

A home inspector will go over the home from top to bottom to see if there are any glaring defects that need to be addressed with the property. It’s primarily a visual inspection, so they will be looking for any minor cosmetic imperfections or any defects with the property that need to be addressed.

An appraisal is used by a mortgage lender to determine the value of a property. Depending on the type of appraisal, and what type of financing it’s for, you are going to have higher requirements for property condition. However, they won’t be as thorough as a full home inspection.

 for who foots the bill, a home inspection is usually covered on behalf of the buyer to make sure nothing is wrong with the home, and the appraisal is on behalf of the lender, to make sure the amount they are lending is accurate.

If you have any questions about this topic or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love for you to give us a call or send us an email!

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Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes for a Smooth New Construction Process

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“There are things you can do to ensure a smooth new construction process.”

Are you thinking about buying a new construction home in the Billings, MT area? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three common mistakes to avoid when buying new construction:

  • Failing to hire a real estate professional to represent you: If you are going to court, would you represent yourself? If you have an ailment, would you trust a friend to diagnose you, or would you rather see an expert? A real estate professional will protect your interests when you go to negotiate a new home purchase.
  • Do your research: Some builders simply aren’t reputable; so you can’t pick one without giving it a good deal of thought. There are many ways you can find out which builders are reputable. One of the most important things you can do is find a builder who is going to stand behind their product.
  • Read the fine print: Builder contracts are setup to protect their interests. You need to ensure you are not getting fooled or taken advantage of in the contract stage. Again, working with a good Realtor is a great way to avoid problems with this part of the process.

If you have any questions about buying new construction, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to help you make smart decisions in your marketplace.