Denise Mason's Blog
Posted on 01/19/2020
Rise Above the Homebuying Competition
Let's face it – there is no shortage of buyers competing for the top residences. However, there are many things you can do to rise above the homebuying competition, and these include: 1. Review the Local Housing Market The housing market fluctuates. In some instances, the housing market may favor buyers. Or, in other cases, it may favor sellers....
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Posted on 01/12/2020
What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy A Home?
Your credit score is a fundamental component of a mortgage lender’s decision to approve you for a loan. It can also affect the interest rate and loan amount you can secure. Along with your income history and down payment, a solid credit score is one of the three most important things you’ll need when it comes to buying a...
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Posted on 01/05/2020
Mortgage vs. Investing: Which is Better for Your Finances
Photo by Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock Often, when discussing ways to get out of debt, the subject of “mortgage versus investments” comes up. If you have a mortgage, your monthly budget likely revolves around paying it first, meaning investment ideas take a back seat. One way to free money up to invest is to pay off the mortgage, and...
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Posted on 12/29/2019
Getting Along in a New City: Cost of Living
Image by Wellnhofer Designs from Shutterstock When you’re relocating you search for a property and learn the real estate market in your new area. Are you also looking at what the general cost of living is in your new city? The cost of living can be very different from state to state and city to city. Here are...
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Posted on 12/22/2019
What to Expect After You Attend a Home Showing
After you complete a home showing, you may face a dilemma. If you like a house following a showing, you may want to set up a follow-up showing or submit an offer to purchase. Or, if you are dissatisfied with the results of a home showing, you may want to continue your house search. It helps to know what...
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Posted on 12/15/2019
How Many Home Showings Should You Schedule?
A home showing is a valuable opportunity for a property buyer. In certain instances, buyers will set up dozens of showings to review a wide range of residences. Meanwhile, a buyer sometimes finds the perfect residence during his or her first home showing. Ultimately, there is no set number of showings that you will need to attend before you...
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Posted on 12/08/2019
Anticipate and Overcome House Selling Hurdles
The home selling process should be fast and profitable. Yet problems may arise that make it tough for a seller to optimize the value of his or her house and enjoy a seamless property selling experience. Lucky for you, we're here to help you plan ahead for the home selling journey and avoid potential pitfalls. Now, let's take a...
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Posted on 12/01/2019
Home Inspections Are Important for Buyers and Sellers - Here's Why
Getting a home inspection is usually built into the purchase contract for most real estate transactions. A home inspection contingency protects the buyer from getting any unwelcome surprises after they buy the home (think water damage or an HVAC system whose days are numbered). In some cases, home inspections are the defining moment between a sale or moving on...
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Posted on 11/24/2019
Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Avoid Burglary
"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!" That saying (and old song) has been around for generations, but it's as true today as it was a century ago. Almost everyone would agree that your home should be a refuge from the calamity and dangers of the outside world. A related saying which has been repeated for...
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