Are We there Yet? House Buying with Kids

Well Lets All Load Up!

House Buying with kids in mind (and in tow) can introduce a whole new dynamic to the house search quest. Home buyers are not only searching for  a comfortable place that meets their own needs but often seek the perfect sized home, in a popular school area, with lots of  amenities. In addition, as a Mom (as well as a realtor) I can attest to the spirited tactics of going on house tours with children tagging along. However,  keeping a few simple tips in mind can not only help you find a home that meets your family's needs as well as keep your sanity while on the hunt.

It’s All Greek to Me, Real Estate Terms as a Second Language

The Mysterious Real Estate Language

Selling or buying a home can be a mysterious journey for those not familiar with real estate terms. While many home buyers and sellers have a general understanding of how the process works, the language of real estate can actually cause more fear than the process itself. However, by learning a few of the common real estate terms you can feel more at ease when approaching selling or buying your next home.

Repeat After Me…Common Real Estate Terms

First-Time Home Buyers Don’t Let Student Loan Debt Stop You



Image courtesy of Stuart Miles@freedigitalphotos.net

Student Loan Debt

Being a First Time Home Buyer can be an exciting adventure. The feeling of freedom and accomplishment that goes with it can be exhilarating to say the least. However, for most people buying a home is just a distant dream especially if they are burdened with huge STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

Let’s face it. Most people who have amassed thousands of dollars in student loan debt do not make enough to qualify for homeownership. Does this mean that they have to give up on their dreams of buying a home or wait until they have paid off all their loans? Certainly not. Here are some home buying tips that can improve the chances of being qualified for a home loan.

Wait for the Right Time

Most Federal Student Loans have a 6-month “grace period” in which new graduates have time to find a job before beginning loan re-payment and incurring interest. Do not apply for a home loan until the 6-month grace period has passed. Doing so within this period will only ruin your chances of qualifying for a home loan.

Consolidate your Student Loans

Pay off your credit card and other loans during the 6-month grace period to improve your monthly DEBT-TO-INCOME Ratio. Find out if you qualify for any STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS. Hopefully, this move will improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing a home loan.

Save Up for the Down Payment

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong@freedigitaliphotos.net

While most lenders require buyers to put 20% of the purchase price up front, some are willing to work with less.

Find a Co-Borrower

Do you have a significant other or family member who could sign a co-mortgage? Having a co-borrower with GOOD CREDIT SCORE can help you qualify for a joint mortgage and take you a step closer to your dream.

Apply for an FHA Loan

FHA Loans are ideal for people with higher debt-to-income ratio. However, they only work if you are paying a reasonable amount on your student loans. 

Buying a home for the first time is very much possible even if have tons of student loan debts under your name. You just need to know how to do it.

Let Me Help You Find That First-Time Dream Home

If you are still not sure whether it is the perfect time to buy or sell your home, please feel free to contact me at 678-656-6627, and I will do my best to help you do what you have set to accomplish. You can also visit my site at www.pamsantoro.com  for more tips on selling or buying a home.  Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Buying a New Home? Get to Know Your New Neighborhood by Doing an Online Search

When shopping for a new home in an unfamiliar area, potential t can provide you with a general overview of what you need to know about the neighborhood, you should do your own research before making a decision.

However, you don't need to stroll arhome buyers usually want to know what the neighborhood is really like. While your real estate agenound the area and ask every stranger you meet about what it's like to live there. You can learn everything you need without leaving the comforts of your own home. How do you do it? Through the power of the internet! Here are some useful sites that may help you get all the information that you need.

My Local Crime

Would it be safe to live in your chosen neighborhood? Are there certain areas that should be avoided after dark? Since you need to ensure your family's safety and security at all times, consider using this website to know what crimes took place in the area and where those crimes were committed. Just type in the address of the house you are thinking about buying and you will get an index of all the crimes committed in the neighborhood.

Greatschools.org

Moving in to a new neighborhood that offers good quality education would be a definite plus, especially if you have school age children, right? If this is one of your primary concerns, use the Greatschools.org website to find useful information and reviews.

Walk Score and Bike Score

Do you want to know how easy it is to get around on foot or on a bike to the nearest grocery, coffee shop, or park in your chosen neighborhood? If you do, you'll find everything you need to know by visiting these websites.

You can also use other websites such as Transit Score to check the area's accessibility to public transport, Yelp to discover new restaurants and Moviefone to discover nearby theatres, and Gravy to get a list of the local events.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate. 

Plus, join us at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on March 11, 2016.

Click on the flyer at right to view video promotion of this upcoming event!

Photo courtesy of jannoon028 at freedigitalphotos.net