Moving to a new house can be a stressful and chaotic ordeal. You have a thousand different things to worry about. There's a good chance something will be forgotten.
Whether it's an item you didn't pack up or a task you neglected to do, it's not uncommon to get to your new home, only to say, "What happened to the ______?!" Here are some of the most common things people forget.
Homes are selling very quickly! Securing a home in a competitive market can feel challenging, if not impossible. Below, we've rounded a few tips to give you the best chance possible at getting your dream home in the competitive market. Following our guide and working with our brokers will help you stay ahead of the pack and position yourself as a potential buyer.
There has been widely-reported criminal fraud within the banking industry specific to technology hacks sent to customers via email, text, Facebook messenger, etc, after obtaining access to trusted friends' accounts. By all appearances you think a friend or business vendor with whom you have a relationship has sent you a link that ends up being corrupt, and this has resulted in people sharing personal financial information and losing a lot of money.
When buying a home, we're hearing increasingly troubling stories of how criminals have become more and more sophisticated, with some buyers losing hundreds of thousands of dollars during a home purchase transaction when transferring earnest money or funds to close the sale via wire. The most recent example being a loan officer calling a home buyer directly, impersonating bank representative with a major national bank.
One thing is clear – while the internet offers us convenience and efficiencies, and has become a trusted resource, criminals are watching our every move, especially via email. Then, armed with a lot of specific information on a home transaction, they strike – appearing credible in every way. Any entity in the chain (bank, title company, escrow company, etc.) can be effectively impersonated.
There are several ways you can protect yourself, most of which harken back to the "olden days" – when we did everything in person, by phone call, or with a cashier's check. Here's a list of what buyers should consider before making a wire transfer:
By knowing what to watch out for, we can help you identify fraud events before they happen and ensure your dream home becomes your reality.
In this crazed housing market (up almost 45% from last year!1) it can be a real struggle not only to find a home you love but also to ensure your bid gets the attention it deserves.
How can you prove to the seller that you're their best bet for a no-fuss seller experience with a reliable, on-time close?
You choose your lender wisely.
The lender's interest rate is important, but all lenders are different, and you may run into problems if you aren't considering other factors as well.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when researching lenders that can help you get your bid noticed:
At Axia Home Loans, we recognize that the stakes are especially high, and buying a home may be the biggest financial decision you will make. We take your financial future seriously. We'll sit down with you one-on-one for a free mortgage consultation, give you tips on the local market, and get to know your real estate agent.
Even before you start shopping for a home, we'll work through your pre-approval and have our underwriter review your financial profile so there are no last-minute issues that may jeopardize your ability to close. We'll even create a customized Buyer's Highlight Letter to provide the seller with additional proof that your bid is solid. Axia also has a Certified Homebuyer Guarantee that adds serious strength to your bid.
Contact us to get started with a lender who helps you get the seller's attention and is genuinely interested in helping you achieve homeownership.
Sue Hall, Northwest Regional Manager, Axia Home Loans
NMLS# 166446
https://axiahomeloans.com/SueHall
sue.hall@axiahomeloans.com
(503) 924-7910
1 National Association of Realtors, June 2021
Buying a home is still a part of the American dream. And for most of us, it starts as just that—a dream. Most people spend years dreaming about their first home before they actually buy it, and if that's where you find yourself today, then there are some things you should know before moving forward.
Buying your first home can, of course, be a stressful process, and the more you know going in, the better off you'll be. Our brokers are always here to help. Here's what most first-time homebuyers wish they had known before starting the process:
Buying your first home can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Contact us today to learn more and get started on the road to homeownership in the Portland area.
Portland, Oregon has been called one of the most pet-friendly cities in America, and it's not hard to see why. With an abundance of pet stores, dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, and dog walking trails, Portland is a pet owner's dream city.
Our brokers are proud to live in a city that welcomes all our four-legged friends. If you're looking for your next home in the area, here's what you should look out for to know you're in a pet-friendly neighborhood.
For you, buying a house is not just ticking off another box on the list – it's personal. Because owning your own home means you get to decide which colors to paint the wall, how many dogs you get to have (backyard permitting), and which tree you'll build your kid's tree fort in. Having a place of your own isn't just the quintessential American Dream, it's the dream you've kindled For. Ever. But you live in Seattle and have heard the horror stories about too few houses for sale and sky-high prices. Now, you're afraid your dream may never come true.
Well, don't give up. Buying a home in Seattle is a lot like buying a home anywhere else, only different. Yes, the market here is a tight and prices are above the national average but that doesn't mean you're destined to a lifetime of renting. Coldwell Banker Bain's Team Diva know the ins and outs of the local market and what it takes to be successful in landing the home of your dreams. It starts with education, yours, so they've put together a complete guide, A to Z called, appropriately, How to Buy a Home in Seattle. In it you'll discover:
Whether you're ready to buy a house or just curious about the process, this comprehensive guide is for you. Never have the steps to buying a home in Seattle been laid out so clearly. See for yourself.