Home Affordability

Are you asking yourself, “How much house can I afford?” The answer will depend on your current debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, down payment and other factors. Choosing a home is only one part of the homeownership journey. You also need to be sure that you can afford the monthly mortgage when it comes knocking on your...

You’re ready to buy a home. You’ve put in an offer and the seller has accepted it. Congrats! Now, you’ll be expected to pay a small sum of money upfront to: Show the seller that you’re serious about buying their home Make it worthwhile for the seller to take their home off the market  Provide...

Buying a home can seem easy enough, right? You find the home you want, you make an offer, get a mortgage. And voilà! The house is yours.  If only it were that simple.  There are way more steps involved in the home buying process – and some of those steps can feel challenging.  Once you...

A home purchase is a big investment, and it’s an investment many people are eager to make. That’s probably because they’re aware of the many benefits that come with homeownership, like building equity, tax advantages and improving their credit history.  However, for some of us, a good credit score is the thing that’s holding many...

But when it comes to getting a conventional mortgage, new isn’t always better. That is, when it comes to starting a new job during the process.  In fact, it can potentially complicate the process.  When you apply for a mortgage, the lender wants to see your recent job history because it lets them assess your...

Let’s be real, past generations of home buyers had an easier time coming up with down payments and closing costs. And that was great for them, but times have changed.  For most home buyers today – especially people trying to buy their first home – student loan debt, credit card debt and TWO recessions are...

Whether it’s a bad first date, an awkward family dinner or a client meeting that goes on forever, life is full of situations that may require a smart exit strategy. The best exit strategies are as drama-free as possible and can reduce or virtually eliminate any hard feelings. Home buying can be a lot like...

Buying your first house can be like buying a new motorcycle. Yeah, it costs a significant amount, but you’re pretty sure the payments will be just within your budget, so you get a loan. Before you know it, you’re paying for motorcycle lessons, insurance, a carbon fiber helmet, a synthetic leather motorcycle jacket, constant repairs...