Autumn is the perfect time to buy a home

House: Rick Martinez / iStock  ~ Sign: BDNZ / iStock

The fall is the perfect time to sign a contract to buy a home. Here are three reasons why:

1) More Choices: Surveys conducted by Realtor.com show that in 2015, listing inventories have been steadily growing and this fall, property inventory stats are at an all-time high. Take your pick!

2) Lower Prices, Less Competition: Once school starts, demand for home purchases always declines. But this decline also means prices come down, and there is less competition.

3) Low Mortgage Rates: The recent turbulence of the stock market has lowered mortgage rates. Signing a contract to buy a home now will enable you to lock in at a lower rate before those rates rise again.

To read more, link to this article written by Jonathan Smoke at Realtor.com

Don't wait! If you've been looking all year to buy a new property, now is the perfect time. Act soon, and you can easily have a closing before Thanksgiving! 
 

Six Common Real Estate Mistakes

Buying and selling real estate in the market today is certainly NOT for sissies! The competition is steep, and the stakes are high. Making small mistakes can end up costing you thousands of dollars.

Be on the look-out for issues, such as:

1) Not Getting the Price Right: Your first line of defense is to hire a home appraiser who can accurately gauge the worth of a property. This service might cost you a few hundred dollars, but it is an investment that can, in the long run, save you money.

2) Overlooking "Pretty Is As Pretty Does": Tidy things up! Before you put a property on the market, be sure that everything is well-tended and looking its picture-perfect best.

3) Hiding Problems from the Buyer: Be up front from the get-go. Disclose any problems—in writing—so there will be no cause for dispute or litigation after the sale goes through.

4) Wrecking Your Credit at the Last Minute: Home buying and selling doesn't happen overnight. Be mindful of other purchases made during the process, such as buying a new car or missing credit card payments. Remember a pre-approval does not guarantee a finalized mortgage.

5) The Trap of Bidding Wars: Buying property can be an emotional process. Therefore, make sure you have an experienced agent in your corner who can advocate and negotiate the best deal on your behalf.

6) Not Taking the Inspection Seriously: Many buyers and sellers don't put enough credence in this step of the process. Take advantage of the home inspection and leverage the results to drive the price in your favor.

In the end, be mindful and proactive. Knowledge is power! To read more about each factor listed above, link HERE

Source Material: "6 Real Estate Mistakes That May Cost You" by Adam Verwymeren (Published 10/22/14 via FOX News) 

Top 10 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

Photo: RIS MEDIA

According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly half of new homeowners undertake a home improvement project within three months of buying a new residence, and the first order of business is usually focusing on a kitchen overhaul.  

In an article written by Marilyn Kalfus (of The Orange County Register), she outlines the Top 10 Kitchen Remodeling Trends, and she includes information on:

Chef's Stoves

Eco-Friendly Features

Granite and Quartz Countertops

Tile Backsplashes

Floors (esp. hardwood)

Stainless Steel

Islands

Blending Contemporary and Traditional Styles

White Cabinets

Gray Color Schemes

Link HERE to read the article in its entirety. 

It's worth a look!