Blogs

1. You’ll Build Equity With renting, building equity is not possible. With buying, however, each payment you make towards your loan increases the equity you have in your home. You can use that equity to put towards your next home, or save it for big life events like travel or retirement. 2. Tax Benefits There […]

When choosing a home for yourself, it’s likely that the key deciding factors will be proximity to work, school and loved ones. When choosing an investment property, there are different terms to follow in order to maximize your investment. These three things, recommended by Chris Carrow and Bob Lamson of DuplexKing, are important things to […]

Price it Right Both agents and buyers will familiarize themselves on the market before they go out looking at homes. They know what’s a good deal and what isn’t and you’ll save yourself time and hassle if you price it right from the start. Homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Uptown, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, Downtown […]

Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have […]

What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s tax bill to help you determine this information. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done?                 […]

Credit scores range between 300 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score: Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens & activity also impact your history. How much you owe. […]

W-2 forms – or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed – for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan. Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan. Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances. Copies of two […]

Buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming for the first-time homebuyer. If you’ve decided to take the plunge into home ownership and have already started the search process, make sure you’re not making some common first-time homebuyer mistakes. Your upcoming investment could end up being a bad decision if you overlook some important […]

How to Prepare to Buy a Home Talk to mortgage brokers. Many first-time home buyers don’t take the time to get prequalified. They also often don’t take the time to shop around to find the best mortgage for their particular situation. It’s important to ask plenty of questions and make sure you understand the home […]